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eppur_se_muova

(36,227 posts)
Tue Sep 2, 2014, 11:19 PM Sep 2014

DNA evidence overturns 30-year convictions in US case (BBC)

Two US men who spent three decades in prison for rape and murder, one of them on death row, have been released after DNA evidence proved their innocence.

Mentally disabled half brothers Henry McCollum, 50, and Leon Brown, 46, were convicted in 1984 of raping and killing an 11-year-old girl in North Carolina.

Recently analysed DNA evidence from the crime scene implicated another man, who is in prison for a similar crime.

A county judge ordered the immediate release of the brothers.

Tuesday's court judgement followed an investigation by the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, which tested DNA evidence found at the scene.
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29039964

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DNA evidence overturns 30-year convictions in US case (BBC) (Original Post) eppur_se_muova Sep 2014 OP
This is why I support a moratorium on executions of prisoners who have been on death row for 20 -30 Ghost in the Machine Sep 2014 #1
I'm here with you Prophet 451 Sep 2014 #2

Ghost in the Machine

(14,912 posts)
1. This is why I support a moratorium on executions of prisoners who have been on death row for 20 -30
Wed Sep 3, 2014, 01:32 AM
Sep 2014

years or so, even though I do support the DP. Technology has made advances in leaps and bounds over the years, and Project Innocence has freed many falsely imprisoned people who were slated for death.

With the DNA technology that we have today, people can be convicted without any shadow of doubt. I think the DP should be carried out on certain people if there is no doubt due to DNA, video surveillance, eyewitness testimony by more than one person or an outright confession by the perp.

I know I'm almost alone in this crowd due to my support of the DP, but I'm a grown man with thick skin and can understand why others DON'T support it and I can respect their beliefs/positions.

Peace,

Ghost

Prophet 451

(9,796 posts)
2. I'm here with you
Wed Sep 3, 2014, 01:38 AM
Sep 2014

I support the DP but only in cases where we have absolute proof of guilt. These days, that's not an unreachable bar. Think of the mountain of corroborating evidence used to convict, say, the DC sniper. Reams of evidence from DNA, forensics, psychology, ballistics, witness reports, etc. When you have that kind of plethora of evidence, I would say we have achieved absolute proof and then, and only then, is the DP appropriate. The natural caveat to that: If there is even teh slightest doubt about guilt, the DP should not be used.

My SO disagrees. Like most of this board, she's opposed to teh DP on moral grounds and I respect that position.

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