FBI overstated forensic hair matches in nearly all trials before 2000

[Blanky]

The only commentary I feel I need at this time is simply: WTF

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...c8d8c6-e515-11e4-b510-962fcfabc310_story.html

The Justice Department and FBI have formally acknowledged that nearly every examiner in an elite FBI forensic unit gave flawed testimony in almost all trials in which they offered evidence against criminal defendants over more than a two-decade period before 2000.
...
The cases include those of 32 defendants sentenced to death. Of those, 14 have been executed or died in prison
...
The FBI errors alone do not mean there was not other evidence of a convict’s guilt. Defendants and federal and state prosecutors in 46 states and the District are being notified to determine whether there are grounds for appeals. Four defendants were previously exonerated.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Anyone involved should be in jail for the rest of their lives, no parole.

just sickening.

 

[K1052]

Another fine example of why our justice system should not be empowered to conduct capital punishment.

 

[Jaskalas]

Another fine example of why our justice system should not be empowered to conduct capital punishment.

There are sometimes cases of catching them in the act, and they surrender, or where you otherwise find them holding the gun, etc... A guilt beyond any doubt where one may forgo circumstantial errors such as these and accept the death penalty for the most heinous of acts.

However, for most cases I'll agree with you. Where guilt is determined by a fiber or other circumstantial shred of evidence, we should apply caution to the sentencing.

 

[waggy]

ugh disgusting. they should be charged for shit..but they won't.

just another reason i have turned against the death penalty.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

There are sometimes cases of catching them in the act, and they surrender, or where you otherwise find them holding the gun, etc... A guilt beyond any doubt where one may forgo circumstantial errors such as these and accept the death penalty for the most heinous of acts.

However, for most cases I'll agree with you. Where guilt is determined by a fiber or other circumstantial shred of evidence, we should apply caution to the sentencing.

I feel the same way, if there's absolutely no doubt the person committed the crime I have no issue with capital punishment. However, if the case is based on circumstantial evidence there should be a higher burden of proof to determine guilt.

 

[Rakehellion]

Just a few bad apples!

 

[Fenixgoon]

Just a few bad apples!

while i don't think you can throw this in with all the police shootings, i imagine there is plenty of pressure from up top to get results that wind up in convictions of criminals.

unfortunately, this is what happens when your job goes from "find the truth" to "get this guy in jail"

 

[K1052]

There are sometimes cases of catching them in the act, and they surrender, or where you otherwise find them holding the gun, etc... A guilt beyond any doubt where one may forgo circumstantial errors such as these and accept the death penalty for the most heinous of acts.

However, for most cases I'll agree with you. Where guilt is determined by a fiber or other circumstantial shred of evidence, we should apply caution to the sentencing.

Given what law enforcement and prosecutors are apparently willing to do to send people to the death house, regardless of if they are actually guilty or not, I'm not even really comfortable with that. I think it should be entirely beyond their power.

 

[Blackjack200]

Given what law enforcement and prosecutors are apparently willing to do to send people to the death house, regardless of if they are actually guilty or not, I'm not even really comfortable with that. I think it should be entirely beyond their power.

Look no further than that Texas case that has been discussed repeatedly here. Everyone from the prosecutor to Govorner Perry ignored substanial problems with the case and likely executed an innocent man. This shit goes on all the time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Central_Park_Five

 

[Harabec]

Shouldn't they be charged with murder, treason, or just being general assholes with too much power?

 

[sm625]

The FBI has even bigger problems:

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2015/04/head-fbis-anthrax-investigation-calls-b-s.html

Lucky for them, the iZombies do not care about any of this crap enough to lift their frickin thumbs off their touchscreens except to type the words "conspiracy twoofer" before going back into their zombie state.

 

[Blackjack200]

FWIW, I'm against the death penalty, but I'd trade keeping the death penalty for sweeping reforms in the criminal justice system to stop convicting innocent people. Not likely though, with so many 2nd amendment disciples convinced that if they are ever removed from their weapons for five seconds, they will be killed, their wives raped, and their children sold into slavery. I mean, would you push for CJS reform if you falsly believed that crime was on the rise?

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tan...crime-rates-support-for-gun-rights-increases/