DNA Testing For Death Row Inmate

In 1993, Hank Skinner was arrested for the murder of a woman and her two adult sons. The woman was Skinner's girlfriend at the time. The prosecution used some of the evidence during trial, but did not test all of the evidence. Skinner's attorneys have been fighting for a decade to get access to the untested evidence.  

In March of last year, Skinner was about an hour away from being put to death before the Supreme Court of the United States intervened and granted a stay. Today, the Supreme Court opened the door slightly for inmates to have evidence tested for DNA. Just two years ago in District Attorney's Office v. Osborne, the Supreme Court held that inmates do not have a constitutional right of access to DNA evidence.

Today, however, the Supreme Court found that inmates do have a "limited right" of "procedural due process." The Supreme Court held today that an inmate has a limited right to seek crime-scene evidence testing under Section 1983 of federal civil rights law. Of course, this does not mean that the evidence will demonstrate his innocence, but now he has a shot at testing the evidence.  

If you or your loved one has been charged with the offense of murder, then you need to contact a Plano Criminal Defense Lawyer to adequately represent you or your loved one. Innocence claims and DNA testing issues are complicated issues that require an experience and well-versed attorney. Our attorneys have detailed knowledge regarding the post-conviction and appellate process.   Contact The Zendeh Del Law Firm to protect your loved one's constitutional rights.