Robert Dewey listens to Rich Tuttle, the original prosecutor during Dewey's trial in the mid-1990s in Grand Junction, Colo., Monday, April 30, 2012. (William Woody, Special to The Denver Post)

GRAND JUNCTIONRobert Dewey, imprisoned for nearly 18 years for a crime he did not commit, has been ordered released, cleared by DNA evidence that points the finger at a new suspect in the rape and murder of a Palisade woman in 1994.

"I find that Mr. Dewey is factually innocent of the crimes of which he was accused of in this case," the judge said, noting Dewey had spent more the 6,000 days behind bars. "Mr. Dewey is now again a free man."

Seated at a table in a blue shirt, his hair in long braids, Dewey declined to speak during the crowded hearing.

"It takes real character to stand up and say we made a mistake 17 years ago," Dewey's post-conviction lawyer Danyel Joffe said as she asked a Mesa County

Robert Dewey mug shot (Colorado Dept. of Corrections)

Prosecutors re-examined evidence found in 19-year-old Jacie Taylor's apartment after her death and with new technology, lifted a full DNA profile from semen found on a blanket.

They believe it matches that of Douglas Thames, who is currently serving life for the high-profile 1989 rape and strangulation of Susan Doll in Fort Collins.

Dewey, who has served nearly 18 years of a life sentence in state prison, is expected to walk free today after a 3:30 p.m. court hearing.

Defense attorney Steve Laiche described Dewey as "serene and insightful."

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DNA evidence clears Robert Dewey, who has served 18 years for murder