A&E’s “American Justice” is credited with helping to free a man from prison who was wrongly accused in 1998 of raping and murdering his mother-in-law and raping his 6-year-old niece.

Clarence Elkins was released from prison last week – after spending nearly six years behind bars – when a 2003 episode of the true-crime show profiled his case. As a result of the telecast, his family and legal team – who waged a brutal sevenyear battle to clear him – were able to raise the funds necessary to conduct expensive DNA tests that proved Elkins’ innocence.

“We brought attention to a case that was clearly one of justice denied,” says executive producer Laura Fleury.

A partially updated version of the episode will air on Dec. 27 and an edition featuring footage of Elkins after his release is planned for January.