So the DA expedites the DNA tests but sits on the rape kit?
He's hiding exculpatory evidence, IMHO, and not just the rape kit.
Durham "justice" ...
http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-746675.html
Last of five codefendants in Cannady case gets 10-13 years
By John Stevenson : The Herald-Sun
jstevenson@heraldsun.com
Jun 22, 2006 : 8:06 pm ET
DURHAM -- The last of five codefendants in the 2002 fatal shooting of 89-year-old Lois Cannady received his punishment Thursday.
Little Jerome Freeman was sentenced in Durham County Superior Court to between 10 and nearly 13 years in prison.
Freeman originally was charged with first-degree murder, for which the only possible punishment would have been life in prison without parole. The death penalty was not being sought.
However, the charge was downgraded to second-degree murder in exchange for Freeman's promise to testify for the prosecution against two others.
Defense lawyer John Fitzpatrick, who represented Freeman on the homicide charge, and lawyer Mark Edwards, who represented him in the past, both had glowing words for the suspect on Thursday.
"He has shown true remorse," said Edwards. "In less than 1 percent of my cases have I run across someone like that. Usually, people are just sorry they got caught rather than being sorry for the victim. But Jerome [Freeman] is sincere. He has some mental issues, so I don't think he's smart enough to fake it."
Freeman apologized for the murder during his court appearance Thursday. In return, members of the victim's family thanked him for helping the prosecution bring others to justice in the case.
Freeman was one of five youths who barged into Cannady's Valleydale Drive home in June 2002, reportedly bent on stealing a car. The elderly woman was killed with an assault rifle as she called 911 for help.
The triggerman, Michael Bernard Sullivan, was convicted of first-degree murder in 2004 and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. His conviction recently was upheld by the state Court of Appeals.
Another suspect, Gregory Jamar Lee, also took his chances with a jury. He was found guilty of first-degree murder last month and, like Sullivan, received a life prison term without the possibility of parole.
Lee had lived across the street from Cannady and was accused of leading the others to her house, even though she had befriended him and often cooked for him.
Lee admitted he was at the scene and kicked in Cannady's back door. But he claimed he acted under duress after his codefendants threatened to kill him if he didn't cooperate.
A fourth suspect, Ricky Evelon Morris, was sentenced earlier this week to between seven and 10 years in prison for his role in the crimes. Like Freeman, he originally was accused of first-degree murder but was allowed to plead guilty to a reduced charge as a reward for helping investigators.
Freeman wound up with a lengthier sentence than Morris because his previous criminal record was worse.
A murder charge against the fifth and youngest suspect, Marcus M. Hawley, was dropped last year. He received a 38- to 55-month prison term for related crimes: breaking into Cannady's house, attempting to rob her and possessing a car stolen from her.
So the DA expedites the DNA tests but sits on the rape kit?
He's hiding exculpatory evidence, IMHO, and not just the rape kit.
___
I agree 100%, whatever he is hiding it is exculpatory.