Advances in science and technology allow for the possibility that certain criminal convictions in Michigan and other states may be subject to challenge. Post-conviction matters of this nature require the skills of a criminal defense attorney who has experience in dealing with DNA matters when it comes to a potential miscarriage of justice. In another state, a man has spent the past 33 years in jail for a murder that he claims he did not commit.
It appears that DNA evidence was discovered that eliminates the evidence on which the conviction was based. In the original case, the prosecution relied solely on physical evidence to link the man to the death of a 23-year-old woman in 1985. A judge decided that the new evidence justifies a new trial. He found that none of the original blood samples or other evidence contained the DNA of the man who was convicted for the murder.
However, the district attorney contends that the man confessed to the killing after allegedly telling a co-worker about killing the woman several hours before her death was made public. During extensive interviews with police, he allegedly described how he killed the woman, but he never signed a confession. It was pointed out by the defense that the defendant has bipolar disorder, for which he was committed to a mental health facility before the trial that resulted in his conviction.
While the outcome of this case is still unknown, such cases give hope to others who believe they were wrongly convicted. An experienced Michigan criminal defense attorney can assess the circumstances and launch a new investigation if necessary. Post-conviction matters involving DNA evidence are best dealt with by attorneys with extensive knowledge of the investigative methods used in such cases.