Thursday, August 30, 2012
West Memphis Three New fiber analysis results in WM3 case
Posted by David Koon on Thu, Aug 30, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Blake Hendrix, attorney for Jason Baldwin, has forwarded a copy of a letter he and co-counsel John T. Philipsborn sent to Second Judicial District Prosecutor Scott Ellington two days ago outlining the results of some of the most extensive fiber-analysis ever conducted on materials collected during the investigation of the murders of three 8-year-old boys in West Memphis in May 1993.
Fibers from the case were analyzed by forensic chemist Dr. John Goodpaster of Purdue University, Christopher Bommarito, formerly of the Michigan State Police Crime Laboratory, and criminalist Max Houck, formerly of the FBI crime lab and FBI trace evidence collection.
In short, the new fiber analysis found that fibers found at the crime scene which were determined to be "microscopically similar" to fiber samples collected from the homes of Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols — and later used as evidence against them at trial — are actually not similar to the collected samples. Or, as Hendrix and Philipsborn put it in the letter to Ellington: "The bottom line is that in 2012, three forensic scientists have looked at the fibers made available by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, and all three applied their expertise to the fiber evidence review. They demonstrate that the initial opinions expressed, which became part of the State's case, were wrong. The questioned fibers examined in 2012 should have been clearly described as unrelated to the fibers that were taken from the Echols and Baldwin residences during the investigation."
You can read the letter to Scott Ellington and the report by Dr. Max Houck here: Baldwin_fiber_evidence.pdf
Comments (19)
Showing 1-19 of 19
More by David Koon
-
Netflix pix: 'Kumare'
With Easter just passed, I've been thinking a lot about faith — why we need it, what purpose it serves, and just how devout many of the people who claim to be religious really are. It's a question for the ages, and will probably be debated until the sun goes supernova or language finally devolves into a series of squeaks and grunts, whichever comes first.
- Mar 28, 2013
-
Ten to watch at the Little Rock Film Fest
Films not to miss.
- May 16, 2013
- More »
Readers also liked…
-
Another day in court for Death Row's Tim Howard
The 1998 capital case against Tim Howard from Little River County has long drawn on our attention in reporting by Mara Leveritt, most recently in her account of huge problems with DNA tests conducted for the case (and covered up by the state).
- Mar 13, 2012
-
Jason Baldwin visits the Supreme Court
He writes: "You see, while I am innocent of the crime that sent me to prison most of the people there aren't (though I did meet others who actually are) and I made the decision long ago to treat these guys as people and not see them for the crimes that put them there. As a result I saw their humanity. I made friends with a lot of guys there who were juveniles when they committed their crimes. I grew up with them. We shared food, hopes, dreams and prayers. When I left I promised them all that I would not forget them. That is why I now not only fight for the innocent, to abolish the death penalty but I also fight for those youth who made a horrible mistake and realize that now."
- Mar 21, 2012
-
Supreme Court grants hearing for Death Row's Timothy Howard
The Arkansas Supreme Court has ordered a further hearing on the DNA claim of a Death Row inmate, Timothy Howard, that state suppression of critical problems with DNA evidence prejudiced his fair trial.
- Apr 26, 2012
Event Calendar
-
Re: Sources identify Steele Stephens as informant in Shoffner case
I see my post have been removed. Can was say sensor?
- on May 24, 2013
-
Re: Vote fraud: Myth-busting in Ohio
Bull, you need to take your snark-meter in for a tune up.
- on May 24, 2013
-
Re: Vote fraud: Myth-busting in Ohio
Citizen Koch1,
Keep spewing that line of bull. You and other Koch-heads know that…- on May 24, 2013
Top Commenters
Blogroll
Slideshows
-
May 16, 2013
Site Index
News
Cover Story / Arkansas Reporter / The Week That Was / Smart Talk / The Insider / The Observer / Editorial / Max Brantley / Ernest Dumas / Gene Lyons / Bob Lancaster / Words / Guest Writer / Letters
Entertainment
A&E Feature / To-Do List / In Brief / Movie Reviews / Music Reviews / Theater Reviews / A&E News / Art Notes / Graham Gordy / Books / Media / Dining Reviews / Dining Guide / What's Cookin' / Calendar / The Televisionist / Movie Listings / Gallery Listings
This Week's Cover
Quick Links
Special Publications
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
