RALEIGH -- A man imprisoned for 18 years for a rape he did not commit has been officially declared innocent.

The News and Observer reports that Gov. Mike Easley has signed a pardon of innocence for Dwayne Dail. Dail was convicted in 1989 in Wayne County of raping a 12-year-old girl but recent DNA evidence proved it wasn't him and he was released from prison in August.

The pardon is the fifth one Easley has granted since he took office.

Dail now is eligible to apply for a total of $360,000 compensation from the state.