Woman forced to accuse innocent man of rape: 'It was hell' Copyright by WOODTV - All rights reserved The woman who now says she was sexually assaulted by Aurelias Marshall in 1991 and then forced to blame the rape on an innocent neighbor speaks to 24 Hour News 8. (June 17, 2015) [ + - ] Video

Joe LaFurgey -

GRAND RAPISD, Mich. (WOOD) -- Her testimony helped send an innocent man to prison.

And now the woman who kept the secret for more than 20 years is telling her story.

"Everything I try to do good. It just never worked. It was just something that was eatin' at me, "said now 34-year-old rape victim.

She was just ten years old when she was sexually assaulted - allegedly by her mother's live-in boyfriend, Aurelias Marshall.

Police say Marshall then used physical and psychological abuse to force the young girl to incriminate her 16-year-old neighbor, Quentin Carter.

The Kent County Prosecutor's office recently cleared Carter of the crime, for which he spent 17 years behind bars.

The victim says Marshall was controlling and abusive.

"He came in to the household and everything changed," said the victim.

In October 1991, the rape and beating -- allegedly at the hands of Marshall -- brought the victim to the hospital.

Police got involved, but authorities now believe Marshall had control over the victim and her mother.

Going through a neighbor's garbage, Marshall came up with a name on some discarded mail to pin the rape on.

Quentin Carter lived nearby.

Copyright by WOODTV - All rights reserved A file mug shot of Quentin Carter.

Copyright by WOODTV - All rights reserved A file mug shot of Quentin Carter.

"They wrote out what they wanted me to say, and who were involved and what was supposed to have transpired," she said, describing the plan she says Marshall and her mother formulated.

The victim says Aurelias Marshall had a vicious way to guarantee his freedom.

"He beat me until I said that Quentin did it."

Carter was just 16 when the victim's testimony in court lead to a guilty verdict.

"It was hell. Because I was sitting on the stand and I knew it wasn't real. "

Quentin Carter served 17 years. His minimum sentence was six years. But it was extended because Carter refused to admit guilt, take part counseling programs for people convicted of sex crimes and didn't show remorse.

He didn't do it.

Marshall was convicted earlier this month of the 1990 beating death of Joel Battaglia. It was as police returned to their investigation of that case and Marshall that they discovered he was likely responsible for the sexual assault and framing Carter.

All along, the victim hid the truth that could have set Quentin Carter free.

If given the chance, what would she say to Quentin Carter today?

"I really don't know what I'd say. Because an apology just ain't enough," said the woman, revealing the stark reality of one lie, and its devastating effect on two lives.

She doubts he would even accept any attempt to apologize.

"You can't just apologize to somebody being what he went through. You can't."

While Carter spent 17 years in prison, the lie created the victim's personal prison.

"If you're going through something like this, don't hold it. Just don't hold it because if you do you're going to live with a nightmare for the rest of your life."

Her advice to others who might find themselves in a similar situation is to find someone who will listen.

"... And is willing to give you help, and just supporting you, ya know. Find somebody. Find somebody."