Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.
A man who was incarcerated for 14 years has met the woman who mistakenly accused him of rape back in the 90s.
Loretta Zilinger was just 15 years old when she was assaulted on her way to class.
She reported that in Chicago, in October 1994, a tall man attacked her, dragged her into an abandoned building, and threatened her life before committing sexual acts.
Throughout the traumatic event, Zilinger kept her eyes open and used her hands to touch the attacker’s face, hoping to remember his features.
She gave a description of the assailant to the authorities, which led to a sketch that was shared with the public.
Following this, the police received a tip that someone matching the description worked at a local meat market.
When Zilinger was taken to the meat market by the police, she identified Dean Cage as her attacker. Despite Cage, then 26, asserting his innocence, he was arrested.
In 1996, Cage was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
He made four appeals during his incarceration and ultimately secured his release after DNA evidence from the assailant’s saliva, collected in 1994 from the victim’s body, cleared him of the crime.
At the time of the trial, DNA testing that could have exonerated him was not available.
Cage was released in May 2008 and reunited with his family.
In November the following year, Zilinger agreed to appear on Dr. Phil’s show.
The episode has recently gained attention on social media after a clip was uploaded to the show’s YouTube channel in July.
During the show, Dr. Phil, a psychologist, explained the DNA evidence to Zilinger, confirming that Cage was not her attacker.
Eventually, Zilinger agreed to meet Cage, and their emotional encounter was broadcast on the show.
Despite his ordeal, Cage expressed his sympathy, saying: “I just hate that you had to go through something like this.”
Addressing Cage directly, Zilinger, often in tears, apologized.
She said: “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just wanted to tell the truth. I’m so sorry.”
Cage, also emotional, reiterated his regret for what Zilinger had endured.
He added: “I hate that, now that you have children, that your kids had to go through something like that. And I hope and pray each day that you can get closure. And this day, I accept your apologies.”
Cage later filed a lawsuit for his wrongful conviction, resulting in a $6,875,000 settlement and $750,000 in attorney fees from the City of Chicago.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7, or chat online via online.rainn.org.