Virginia Governor Orders Review of 150 DNA Cases by Crime Lab

WASHINGTON, May 6 - A sharply critical independent audit found Friday that Virginia's nationally recognized central crime laboratory had botched DNA tests in a leading capital murder case. The findings prompted Gov. Mark R. Warner to order a review of the lab's handling of testing in 150 other cases.

The auditors recommended that the governor restrict the work of the lab's chief DNA scientist, Jeffrey D. Ban; review 40 cases Mr. Ban has handled in recent years as well as sample totaling 110 other lab cases; and develop procedures to insulate the lab from any outside political pressures.

Experts said the findings could lead to a re-examination of scores of past prosecutions, including those involving some of the nearly two dozen inmates on Virginia's death row, and might also throw into turmoil many current prosecutions in which the lab's work helped identify or rule out suspects.
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Governor Warner called for the independent audit of the lab last fall in response to the case of Mr. Washington, a retarded man who came within days of execution for a rape and killing before DNA evidence, though not resolving the case, did raise doubts about his guilt.

http://nytimes.com/2005/05/07/national/07dna.html?hp&ex=1115438400&en=87cf3e08b1daec9e&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Audit: Crime Lab Erred in Death Row Case

RICHMOND, Va. -- The state crime lab made several errors when retesting evidence in the case of a former death row inmate wrongfully convicted of a 1982 rape and murder, according to an independent audit released Friday.

Although retesting of the evidence in 2000 led to the pardon of Earl Washington Jr., the lab's leading DNA analyst made several mistakes, including prematurely excluding suspects when he should have ruled the DNA sample inconclusive, the audit concluded.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/06/AR2005050601702.html

When he received the audit report. This is what an excellent executive does, especially one carrying the public trust. "The findings prompted...", he acts. His original action came when the state almost wrongfully executed* a man. He called for an audit.

Cool, huh. Guy knows how to run a large organization and is NOT a bureaucratic BSer. May not be liberal enough for many of us (e.g., me) but I greatly appreciate his efforts as Governor and I'm glad he's a Democrat.

*I think any execution is wrong (state murder, not a good example for the masses).

Damn, imagine that, a U.S. official actually putting U.S. citizens first! Warner just went up several notches for me, in the search for the next Dem. Presidential candidate.

the Commonwealth of Virginia. I don't agree with the death penalty but, as a citizen, I damn well want them to do it right. Our last Gov., whose name is ereased from long term momory, known as Gov. Enron was a big time Republican. A highly questionable execution took place. DNA evidence was found after the execution but Gov. Enron wouldn't let it be tested. Can you imagine.

Warner's a good guy, hell of a manager, vision and nuts and bolts.

:hi:

...this past November, I posted on a thread somewhere, that my initial gut response, was that Warner of Virginia as Pres, and Bredesen of Tennessee as VP, would put a dagger right in the Repukes solid South. Both get big time cross-over votes in both states. I'm starting to come around to that thinking again...

Warner would losen up greatly as President. He gave a wonderful speech on why he is a Democrat and it was all about the New Deal...that was out of state. He's not a pro slickster yet, may never be but he is smart. Very successful in business, started Nextel, I believe or something very successful in NoVA and used the money to switch into public service.

...Southern states to win. Thats it. And any combination of what we've said could even get us two to three...Its not like we have to pander to the NE voter. Odds are, the Dems. have their vote anyway. If we don't start looking at making inroads somewhere again, we'll lose again. Dean was always right on that. Its foolish to write the South off as a region. With the right combo, we could actually get a state or two, and thats all it takes.

bastards myself, I understand there is always the chance of wringing the wrong one. Besides, I'm not a murderer and neither should my government be.