Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> StandDown Texas Project

Criminal Law

: StandDown Texas Project

More on Exonerations, With and Without DNA

By standdown

The Washington Post reports, "Letters to Inform 400 Felons of DNA Evidence Retesting." Virginia is preparing to send letters to about 400 felons convicted in the 1970s and 1980s notifying them that genetic evidence in their cases has been reviewed, including eight cases in which defendants' DNA did not match crime samples. The Virginia Forensic Science Board voted yesterday to send letters explaining that evidence in their cases, some decades-old, has been retested using DNA technology that was not available at the time of conviction. No determination has been made about whether any of the felons are innocent, and the letter will explain that they can seek further information about the test results. The board's 13 members were split in their decision, however, with some arguing that the letters could languish at old addresses or that recipients might be confused by the content...continue to full post

Full post as published by StandDown Texas Project on August 07, 2008 (boomark / email).