ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Congressman Lacy Clay is urging fellow Democrat and Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster to drop his appeal and allow George Allen Jr. to be freed from prison.

A judge last week overturned Allen’s 1983 conviction for the murder and rape of a St. Louis woman, citing DNA and other evidence that called the conviction into question. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce announced Wednesday she would not re-try Allen, but Koster appealed the judge’s ruling to a state appeals court. As a result, Allen remains in prison.

In a letter on Friday, Clay told Koster he was “deeply troubled” by the appeal. Clay wrote that there is overwhelming evidence that Allen is innocent.

A message seeking comment from Koster’s office was not immediately returned.

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