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Judge Sarokin on the Skinner Case and Post-Conviction DNA Testing

By Steve Hall

Retired Federal District Judge H. Lee Sarokin posts, "Thwarting Justice by Denying DNA Testing," at Huffington Post this afternoon.It is disheartening to hear of prosecutors opposing DNA tests which may prove the innocence of persons facing the death penalty. The objections usually center on the cost or maintaining closure and peace of mind for the victim's family. However, supporters of the defendant frequently offer to pay the cost, and one would think that the victim's family would prefer to have the actual perpetrator arrested and convicted rather than have an innocent person executed. It may also be that prosecutors wish to have their convictions maintained and avoid the embarrassment of having prosecuted and caused the conviction of an innocent man, an understandable consideration but hardly one consistent with the pursuit of justice...continue to full post

Full post as published by StandDown Texas Project on February 10, 2010 (boomark / email).