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View Full Version : Inmate's DNA not found on evidence


Xainia
02-20-2009, 07:20 PM
Ex-death row inmate's DNA not found on evidence (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gN_IJtoLBrKT01W4xaltplZNoa_AD96FGV800)

You need to read the whole article to get the gist of the story.

Paul House, 47, who uses a wheelchair because he developed multiple sclerosis in prison, was convicted of killing Carolyn Muncey nearly 23 years ago. But the case against him has been in doubt for years because of DNA testing, which wasn't available then.And

Still, prosecutor Paul Phillips wants to retry House.
"What the evidence would suggest to us is there may have been other people involved in the crime as well as Mr. House," he said.
Federal public defender Stephen Kissinger, who wants the courts to stop Phillips from retrying House, submitted the lab report to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati on Thursday.
"I think the evidence is overwhelming at this point that Mr. Phillips has no basis to pursue retrial in Mr. House's case, to prosecute him for a murder he clearly did not commit," Kissinger said.

Casspian
02-20-2009, 08:10 PM
Ex-death row inmate's DNA not found on evidence (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gN_IJtoLBrKT01W4xaltplZNoa_AD96FGV800)

You need to read the whole article to get the gist of the story.

And


Good grief, not another one.

I just can't believe they did not find this guy's DNA yet found others and they just want to claim that means he had help?

Peace
02-20-2009, 10:44 PM
Good grief, not another one.

I just can't believe they did not find this guy's DNA yet found others and they just want to claim that means he had help?


no wants to admit that themselves or their office or anyone associated with there office may be wrong.imo

its really sad that innocent people have to pay like that

Casspian
02-21-2009, 02:22 PM
no wants to admit that themselves or their office or anyone associated with there office may be wrong.imo

its really sad that innocent people have to pay like that

Yes, this is the problem with wrongful convictions. Once this happens, everyone involved will do almost anything to keep it from being reversed because it makes them look bad.

penguin01
02-22-2009, 06:51 PM
Yes, this is the problem with wrongful convictions. Once this happens, everyone involved will do almost anything to keep it from being reversed because it makes them look bad.
In Alabama our Attorney General is fighting against convicted people being able to get DNA tests that might exonerate them. I hate to think how many people here may have been wrongly convicted and in jail for the last decade or two who have no right to the tests that now exist - but didn't exist when they were convicted. :mad:

Casspian
02-22-2009, 11:05 PM
In Alabama our Attorney General is fighting against convicted people being able to get DNA tests that might exonerate them. I hate to think how many people here may have been wrongly convicted and in jail for the last decade or two who have no right to the tests that now exist - but didn't exist when they were convicted. :mad:


What? Geez that's just blatantly wrong!

Carol25
02-23-2009, 06:42 AM
How do you just say "I'm sorry" to someone who just lost 20 years of their life?

If I was a prosecutor, I would have to be very convinced of the guilt of someone before proceeding with a trial. I just couldn't do that to someone. I guess that's why it wasn't my calling.

Bless Barry Scheck and what he is doing!!! It has to break his heart to see what these people have gone through. (Innocence Project)

Carol25
02-23-2009, 06:48 AM
You know what would be a good job for these people who come out of prison after a long time like tis? They could work with the Innocence project and before the next candidate walks out, prepare him for what it will be like.

I once talked with a fellow who spent some time in prison. He said it was very hard to be in open places where there were many people and a lot of noise. He wasn't used to it and it made him extremely nervous. Just taking someone out into public the first few times getting used to small groups of people, then larger would help acclimate him to his new world. He's probably never seen a cell phone, things like that!

Helping him find an apartment, getting a car when he could afford one. Just being a friend and introducing him to some good people.

WhiteShark
02-23-2009, 11:58 AM
1.Here in NC there was a man charged, convicted and sent to Life at Central Prison for rape.......no DNA evidence at the time of conviction....He was convicted on eyewitness testimony of the victim. When the DNA was done he was exonerated. HOWEVER.....the DA tried to keep him in prison by arguing there was SOMEONE ELSE there and this guy who had spent over 20 yrs in prison as an innocent man had been there as well "watching".........needless to say that didn't hold up.

2. Another case here, a rape occurred, man arrested and convicted.....no DNA at the time. Many years later when DNA was done.....well it turned out it was the man's TWIN who did the crime, not the one convicted. He got out and the other was convicted.

I think many prosecutors who have sent people to jail only later to have the convictions shown to be wrong, use the "someone else was there" with the convicted person....in an attempt to avoid appeals and overturning of convictions.