In Re: Sidney Terry Joshua

Upon a Petition for a Writ of Actual Innocence

Sidney Terry Joshua petitions this Court for a Writ of Actual Innocence pursuant to Chapter 19.3 of Title 19.2 of the Code of Virginia. He contends he is innocent of rape, of which he was convicted in the Circuit Court of the City of Virginia Beach on June 8,1999.

According to Joshua, the evidence proving his innocence is a certificate of analysis, dated June 5, 1998, stating that “left and right neck swabs” taken from the victim “may be suitable for DNA analysis.” Joshua contends he learned on December 20, 2002, during proceedings pursuant to Code…