Current:Home > ScamsArkansas Supreme Court says new DNA testing can be sought in ‘West Memphis 3' case-LoTradeCoin
Arkansas Supreme Court says new DNA testing can be sought in ‘West Memphis 3' case
View Date:2024-12-23 19:32:50
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday said a judge wrongly denied a request for new genetic testing of crime scene evidence from the killing of three boys nearly 30 years ago.
In a 4-3 decision, the court reversed the 2022 ruling denying the request to test evidence from the 1993 crime scene where three 8-year-old boys were found brutally slain in a drainage ditch near West Memphis. The additional testing was sought by Damien Echols, one of the three men convicted in the slayings.
Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelley were convicted in 1994 but released in 2011 under a rarely used plea agreement that allowed them to maintain their innocence yet plead guilty in exchange for 18-year sentences and credit for time served.
“We appreciate the (Arkansas Supreme Court) giving this ruling and hope we can now once and for all solve this case, clear our names and find the person responsible for carrying out these horrendous crimes,” Echols said in a statement. “This is monumental.”
On Thursday, the court reversed the circuit judge’s ruling that the state law allowing for additional testing didn’t apply because Echols wasn’t in custody when he made the request. Justices also rejected the state’s argument during the appeal that the type of plea agreement precluded Echols from seeking additional testing.
“It is undisputed that Echols has been convicted of a crime, and as a result, he is entitled to seek relief pursuant to Act 1780,” Justice Karen Baker wrote in the court’s ruling.
Stephen Braga, lead counsel for Echols, said he planned to seek a possible agreement with the local prosecutor on DNA testing and will file a motion before the lower court.
“We’re very happy with the court’s ruling this morning upholding the plain language of the statute,” Braga said. “We’re even happier that this means Damien will have another chance to work with the circuit court and or the prosecutor to get new DNA testing done on the evidence at issue.”
In a dissenting opinion, Justice Barbara Webb said the court’s decision “obliterates any sense of finality in our criminal justice system.”
“Their interpretation of Act 1780 means anyone who has ever been convicted of a crime — whether or not they be in State custody — can seek DNA or other scientific testing even if such testing would not prove that individual’s innocence,” she wrote.
Attorney General Tim Griffin, whose office argued the case, raised similar concerns and said Thursday’s ruling “undermines finality in long-closed criminal cases and will result in unserious filings.”
“I hope the legislature will address the issue expeditiously,” Griffin said in a statement.
veryGood! (56171)
Related
- Cold case arrest: Florida man being held in decades-old Massachusetts double murder
- Video shows camper's tent engulfed by hundreds of daddy longlegs in Alaska national park
- Princeton student who stormed Capitol is sentenced to 2 months behind bars
- Delta says pilot accused of threatening to shoot the captain no longer works for the airline
- Five best fits for Alex Bregman: Will Astros homegrown star leave as free agent?
- See Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet Twin During Red Carpet Outing
- Gender-affirming care is life-saving, research says. Why is it so controversial?
- Cleanup is done on a big Kansas oil spill on the Keystone system, the company and EPA say
- Judge sets date for 9/11 defendants to enter pleas, deepening battle over court’s independence
- Apple announces new MacBook Pros, chips at 'Scary Fast' event
Ranking
- Surprise bids revive hope for offshore wind in Gulf of Mexico after feds cancel lease sale
- Who is Antonio Pierce? Meet the Raiders interim head coach after Josh McDaniels' firing
- Railroad automatic braking system needs improvement to prevent more derailments, safety board says
- 'Mean Girls' stars Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried and Lacey Chabert reunite in Walmart ad
- Rōki Sasaki is coming to MLB: Dodgers the favorite to sign Japanese ace for cheap?
- Wind industry deals with blowback from Orsted scrapping 2 wind power projects in New Jersey
- Gunman arrested after taking at least 1 hostage at post office in Japan
- U.S. infant mortality rate rises for first time in 20 years; definitely concerning, one researcher says
Recommendation
-
Opinion: NFL began season with no Black offensive coordinators, first time since the 1980s
-
NFL hot seat rankings: Which coaches could be fired after Raiders dropped Josh McDaniels?
-
Thanksgiving pizza? Turkey, gravy, green beans are toppings on this new DiGiorno pie
-
See Maddie Ziegler and Dance Moms Stars Reunite to Celebrate Paige Hyland's Birthday
-
Caitlin Clark has one goal for her LPGA pro-am debut: Don't hit anyone with a golf ball
-
Georgia says it will appeal a judge’s redistricting decision but won’t seek to pause ruling for now
-
'It's time!': Watch Mariah Carey thaw out to kick off Christmas season
-
New Jersey governor closes part of state’s only women’s prison amid reports of misconduct there