Thomas Zeigler Jr - Wrongly convicted?

[Ssschu]

Long-awaited DNA analysis proves Zeigler innocent in 1975 murders, lawyers say

After 48 years on death row, the results of Zeigler’s successful battle for DNA testing could mark a breakthrough.

www.tampabay.com

 

[killarney rose]

There is just not enough there to prove or disprove a thing IMO. he’s still guilty and right where he needs to be.

 

[NCSleuth]

New (Jan 2025) DNA results are in. Raises a lot of questions about his guilt. Charlie Mays' DNA and blood were found on the cuff of Eunice Zeigler's jacket and at the opening of one of her pockets. No DNA from the father in law (Perry Edwards) was found on Tommy Zeigler; however Perry's blood was found on the sneakers, lower thigh, and upper calf of May's trousers. Could Tommy Zeigler be innocent?

 

[killarney rose]

while there is an ever so slight chance that TZ is innocent, I do not believe the new DNA evidence proves that he is innocent.

 

[NCSleuth]

while there is an ever so slight chance that TZ is innocent, I do not believe the new DNA evidence proves that he is innocent.

I don't think it proves his innocence, but it does raise some doubt. May's DNA should not be on the wife's cuff and pocket. Also, I have always had a hard time believing he shot himself in the stomach with a .357. Not saying he didn't, just find it hard to believe.

 

[killarney rose]

I have no doubt that a sociopath could’ve studied and planned the best way to have shot himself, then followed through on doing it.

There is no doubt that the judge should’ve recused himself from sitting over the trial. He was biased against TZ. That reason should’ve been enough to,grant TZ a new trial. Despite this, the jury did get it right and found TZ guilty and he is right where he needs to be.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Hadley said of Zeigler’s law team: “We believe the testing and everything that has been done on the DNA conclusively proves that Tommy Zeigler is innocent. The DNA simply refutes every theory the state had in trying to show his guilt. … The state said in the closing arguments that Tommy Zeigler held Perry Edwards by the head and beat him over the head, and there’s not a drop of Perry Edwards’ blood on Tommy Zeigler. The only blood on Tommy Zeigler is either (his) blood or Charlie Mays’.

“It would have been Perry’s blood all over,” Hadley said. “It’s not on his clothing at all. One really fascinating piece is that Eunice Zeigler, who was in a separate part of the store, also had Perry Edwards’ blood on her coat, and the only way Perry Edwards’ blood could be on her coat would be if it dripped off the person who killed her father. That’s the crux of what the DNA has found.”

Is Tommy Zeigler innocent? | West Orange Times & Observer

New DNA analysis could exonerate the Winter Garden furniture store owner who has been on Florida’s death row for nearly 49 years, convicted of killing his wife, in-laws and a customer.

www.orangeobserver.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

80-year-old Tommy Zeigler was convicted of killing four people, including his wife and her parents, in Winter Garden in 1975.

However, his attorneys argue that recent DNA tests exonerate him.

A judge is currently reviewing the case to decide whether to grant a hearing on the new evidence.

Dennis Tracey, Zeigler’s defense attorney, stated that the presence of blood on Zeigler is consistent with his testimony.

Joshua Schow, assistant attorney general, stated, “He has had an opportunity to have a hearing in front of this court and he has had an opportunity to test DNA and it just doesn’t support this theory.”

Tommy Zeigler’s attorneys say new DNA evidence may upend 1975 murder conviction

A man who’s been on death row for nearly 50 years says new DNA proves his innocence.

www.wftv.com

 

[killarney rose]

I’m not buying it. Zeiglar and his team have been crying this about DNA for decades but they have yet to prove it. Tommy Zeiglar killed those people and he remains right where he should be.

 

[SeesSeas]

Orlando judge agrees to review Tommy Zeigler case

Death row inmate will be allowed to present evidence at December hearing

www.tampabay.com

Orlando Circuit Judge Leticia Marques agreed Tuesday to hold an evidentiary hearing in the long and tangled case of death row inmate Tommy Zeigler. That means the judge will consider his case in its entirety, including the results of recent DNA testing on the evidence.
[...]
Zeigler, now 80, is possibly the longest-serving death row inmate in the country. He had tried to test the evidence in his case for decades. Though his lawyers agreed to pay the costs of the testing, prosecutors and judges refused six times.
[...]
The arguments at the hearing, along with reports submitted to the court, foreshadow what will likely come during the weeklong hearing scheduled to start Dec. 1.
[...]
Florida, with 30 cases, leads the nation in exonerations from death row.