WASHINGTON — Can a federal civil rights law be used to assert a prisoner’s right to access DNA evidence from his trial for testing? The U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday heard §1983 arguments in the case of Henry Skinner, a Texas ...

Tagged with: death row dna evidence Supreme Court

The Ken Harris murder case is with the jury. After three weeks of testimony and argument, including a resounding final speech Friday from the city’s chief homicide prosecutor, it is up to a majority black female jury to decide whether ...

Tagged with: Baltimore dna

The American Bar Association has announced the winners of its 2010 Silver Gavel Awards, which honor pieces of journalism “that have been exemplary in helping to foster the American public’s understanding of the law and the legal system.” I would ...

Tagged with: crime dna

Happy last-full-workweek-most-of-us-will-have-for-a-few-weeks! * On Sunday, The Sun had this very sad account of an alleged domestic violence murder. * At least two other firms are apparently considering pulling a DLA Piper with their non-equity partners, a law prof tells the ...

Tagged with: DLA Piper dna

My story in today’s paper, “Raising Doubt on DNA,” deals with the practice of using DNA databases and DNA found at a crime scene to identify the perpetrator. It was sparked by an ongoing series in the Los Angeles Times, ...

Tagged with: dna

Gov. Martin O’Malley wants to expand how Maryland uses DNA to fight crime. As of now, the state only takes samples from convicted felons. O’Malley would like to see that expanded to people arrested for violent crimes and burglary. All ...

Tagged with: dna maryland