Since I last posted an update, more briefs have been filed.
These are about jury misconduct:
Echols:
http://wm3org.typepad.com/files/echolsmisconductbrief.pdf
Baldwin:
http://wm3org.typepad.com/files/baldwinjurybrief2.pdf
The biggest news, however, is that the State has decided to stop resisting allowing more testing.
Echols:
http://wm3org.typepad.com/files/echols_testing_state_4-8-11-1.pdf
They also decided not to fight the jury misconduct admission:
http://wm3org.typepad.com/files/ag-juror-reply.pdf
As a supporter, I'm thrilled by these developments. I sometimes wonder why the State did such a turnaround about testing, and I've decided that it's one of three reasons:
1) They believe that further testing will provide incriminating evidence.
2) They know (or highly suspect) that the WM3 are innocent and see allowing further testing as a way to save face.
3) Since the testing is being done on the defense's dime, they're willing to risk the possibility of exculpatory evidence being found.
This is part of what Lori, Damien's wife, had to say about the testing, "The judge is allowing DNA testing of a broad range of evidence. This is a very important development. In the past the State refused testing on many items, and we now have access to almost everything. To explain how significant this is, the shoe strings that tied the victims had several knots in them that were tied by the perpetrator - we are now allowed to have those knots untied to test for DNA. Also, beard hairs were found at the murder scene. We've not been allowed to test them because they would be destroyed in testing we are now testing those hairs along with many items that belonged to the victims, and things that were found at the crime scene. All of this is very exciting." (from wm3.org)
I know that one of the things the defense wanted to test was the "green vegetable matter" found in Stevie's stomach at autopsy. I'm not sure where that stands or even if the evidence is still in existence or can be tested. If I find out anything else about that, I'll let you know.
As things now stand, we are awaiting Judge Laser's ruling on the jury misconduct brief. As Lori indicated, he has already approved further DNA testing. I believe such testing is now proceeding. I will try to be more diligent about updates.
