The district attorney of Navarro County sought the recusal of state District Judge Charlie Baird in a high-profile court of inquiry that was set to start today to determine whether Cameron Todd Willingham was wrongfully executed by the state of Texas for the deaths of his three daughters. The motion raised the possibility that the two-day hearing […]
Forensics
Update Hina family
New Hampshire’s Sullivan County Superior Court Judge Marguerite Wageling heard arguments on David McLeod’s bail request last Sept. 7, 2010. She issued a ruling last Friday, writing that the state met the requirements for keeping McLeod in jail, but at the same time, she also ordered a second hearing. The state was required to show that the proof […]
“The petition warrants a hearing,” Judge Baird
The inquiry into the Willingham case will be held in his courtroom on Oct. 6-7, but Judge Baird said that it could be extended if necessary. Supporters of Cameron Todd Willingham hailed the Austin district judge’s decision last Monday to open a two-day court of inquiry next month. He will determine whether Willingham was wrongfully convicted and […]
Guilty verdict in cold case of Jackie Johns
A St. Louis County jury convicted Gerald Carnahan of first-degree murder and forcible rape on Thursday afternoon for the death of Jackie Johns 25 years ago in Greene County, MO. Barring a successful appeal, the 52-year-old man will spend the rest of his life in prison. The murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of the rest […]
Willeke Dost: no results yet
Dutch police have been digging behind the farm where they were hoping to find the remains of Willeke Dost. However, nothing has been found. The police indicated that they have not changed their minds on who the main suspects are. In 1992, the theory was that most likely Willeke had run away but now police think that […]
Carnahan’s fate in the hands of the jury
Jackie Johns was murdered by Gerald Carnahan and his fate is now in the hands of the people: he is facing 12 jurors. Closing arguments in his trial ended about 11:45 a.m. today. Carnahan is charged with killing Jackie Johns, 20, of Nixa in June 1985 in Springfield, MO. Before closing arguments, St. Louis County Circuit Judge […]
Arrest in 20 year old Potes Case
Capital murder charges were filed last Thursday in the 1990 Potes murders, investigators with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said. Andre Sloan, the suspect, is currently serving a life sentence in prison for a 1992 triple murder in the Houston area. Investigators now believe he was also among a group of men who broke into a […]
Update Skinner
From the Texas Moratorium Network: On October 13, 2010 the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Skinner v. Switzer to determine whether Hank Skinner‘s request for DNA testing can be considered as a civil rights claim rather than as part of his death penalty appeal. Skinner has always maintained his innocence. Mr. Skinner has asked for […]
Jackie Johns trial update
Jackie Johns trial update: in 2007, investigators said that DNA analysis of blood in Jackie Johns’ abandoned car linked Gerald Carnahan to the crime scene, and he was charged with first-degree murder. He’s now on trial in St. Louis County Circuit Court, Missouri. Two former crime scene investigators took the stand. Both Dwight McNiel, a former […]
Henderson suspect gives handwriting sample
A state judge ordered Jason Lee McCormick yesterday to provide handwriting samples for investigators to compare with what was written on a murder victim’s body. Immediately after the judge handed down the order, a Honolulu Police Department document examiner was in the courtroom to retrieve the samples. McCormick, 36, is awaiting trial for second-degree murder […]