DNA test could show executed man innocent

The Washington Times ^ | December 23, 2005 | UPI

[BritExPatInFla]

Virginia Gov. Mark Warner plans to order DNA tests that reportedly could show a man executed for rape and murder in 1992 was innocent. If the tests, which Warner is expected to order before he leaves office in mid-January, clear Roger Coleman, death penalty opponents say it would be the first time an executed convict is scientifically shown to be innocent.

[BritExPatInFla]

This could be messy, but the test has just as good of a chance of affirming the conviction, I guess. Interesting to watch.

[peyton randolph]

This could be messy, but the test has just as good of a chance of affirming the conviction, I guess.

Very easy for government officials with an agenda (Warner) to arrange for DNA to be switched for testing. Look for a finding of "innocence." Be surprised otherwise.

[Brilliant]

You can bet that this is just the first of many times the liberals will do this. They are going to keep ordering genetic tests until they find someone who was innocent and then they are going to demand the end to the death penalty.

[fishbabe]

Did the rape victim point him out and say.he's guilty?????

[Dog Gone]

The libs are praying that they can prove an innocent man was executed, while begging for clemency for those who killed innocent victims.

[neodad]

Too late for Tookie.

[Uncle Vlad]

Too late for Tookie.

Bwahahahahaha!!!

[peyton randolph]

Warner's looking for something to strengthen his liberal creds for an '08 run as a southern 'moderate.'

[Wolfie]

Its a mistake to do the test. I mean, the State might be executing the occasional innocent individual, but what the hey? Gotta break a few eggs, and all.

[JRios1968]

There's hope for Tookie!!!



< /sarc

[KarinG1]

I don't put much store in those new-fangled DNA tests. A jury of peers has always been good enough for me.

[furquhart]

Well, look, even if he was innocent of this particular crime, I doubt if he was of any value to the human race or to the nation.

[Gordongekko909]

"Look for a finding of "innocence." Be surprised otherwise."

Naah, look for a finding of innocence and NOTHING otherwise. If the test affirms his conviction, you'll never hear about this again.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

The state should be obligated to use every tool at it's disposal to ensure that injustice is not committed.

[Straight Vermonter]

Death penalty opponents frequently point to DNA testing in cases like this to show how the wrong man could be executed.

The inverse of this, of course, is that those convicted of murder through the use of DNA evidence should be led directly to the death chamber.

---

I don't think anyone on either side of this issue wants to see the wrong man executed.

[krb]

Probably. That's all it takes in a lot of cases.

[bannie]

"could show"

I could be thin...

[ndt]

"Very easy for government officials with an agenda (Warner) to arrange for DNA to be switched for testing. Look for a finding of "innocence." Be surprised otherwise."

The fact is innocent people do get convicted. If you execute enough people then you will eventually execute an innocent person.

[CGTRWK]

I don't think anyone on either side of this issue wants to see the wrong man executed.

Reading posts #9 and #12, I wouldn't be so sure.

[Cicero]

True. But this guy already has been executed.

In the ordinary way there would be no harm in proving he was innocent, so he could be posthumously vindicated.

But you know Warner has an agenda here.