Gov. Rick Perry presented Tim Cole's family with a posthumous pardon to acknowledge Cole's innocence.

Gov. Rick Perry told Cole's mom Ruby Session, "It means the world to me to be here today to look you in the eye and tell you that your son is pardoned. I know that nothing that anyone in this room, this state, or this world can do could restore Tim to life but we can state clearly, with the full weight of Texas law behind us that your son was no criminal."

Cole was serving a 25-year sentence for the aggravated sexual assault of a Texas Tech student in 1985. Cole died in prison in 1999. His name was cleared by DNA evidence two years ago, thanks to the efforts of Amarillo attorney Jeff Blackburn and the Texas Innocence Project.

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted unanimously to recommend the posthumous pardon for innocence. The victim has also supported Tim Cole's family in obtaining his exoneration.