Our criminal system is based on placing the highest burden on the state in order to convict. The government is not our friend and will become abusive without this basic foundation.
When a government is so inept that its evidence gathering methods are so flawed as to raise doubt, then the system of checks and balances is flawed. It should not matter what Henry Lee testifies. If the chain of custody was intact the doubt is not raised.
It is said that it is better that 10 guilty men go free than 1 innocent man be convicted. Lee’s actions protected many innocent men from conviction by sloppy or politically motivated Mike Nifong types.
As a conservative I say to Henry Lee, thank you. Also as a conservative I say to the OJ jury, you disgust me.
While I very much agree with the overall sentiment of your post, one should take a long hard look at the actual testimony (not merely a hazy recollection of what he said at the time) of Dr. Lee before determining it merits thanks. A dispassionate examination of his testimony will not earn the thanks of those who believe in the cause of justice. He put his reputation in the service of a lie and that is a grave injustice.