Category Archives: Pennsylvania Law
Pennsylvania Crime Lab Bill Moves Forward
Legislation that would enable crime labs run by counties in Pennsylvania to receive a share of the costs incurred from people convicted of crimes moves forward in becoming a law. House Bill 1769 is sponsored by Representative Frank Farry and … Continue reading
Posted in Pennsylvania Law
Tagged Bucks County, crime lab, David Hecker, Frank Farry, Pennslyvania, Pennslyvania legistation
PA Senate Votes to Expand DNA Testing in Crimes
Currently in the state of Pennsylvania, you must submit a DNA sample taken from the inside of your cheek after being convicted of a serious felony. However, legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi will soon change this, allowing … Continue reading
Posted in DNA Science, Pennsylvania Law
Tagged Dominic Pileggi, Pennsylvania, Senate
State Senator Planning Legislation to Extend Time Limits on Post-Conviction Appeals
Currently, Pennsylvania has one of the toughest policies dictating when defendants can file post-conviction appeals – those based on non-DNA evidence must be filed within 60 days of the evidence’s discovery. Now, though, there’s hope that this deadline will be … Continue reading
Posted in Pennsylvania Law
Declared “Actually Innocent” But Still in Prison
In May 1999, Philadelphian Terrance Lewis was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the August 6, 1996, second-degree murder of Bernard Howard. Mr. Howard was killed after 3 men broke into his home and shot him in the … Continue reading
Posted in Pennsylvania Law
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Why Not Just Test the DNA?
On March 7, the Supreme Court decided Skinner v. Switzer and held that death-row inmate Henry Skinner may bring a claim in federal court under civil rights law 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Skinner is attempting to challenge a Texas law … Continue reading
Posted in DNA Science, Exoneration, General, Pennsylvania Law
Pa. Superior Court Approves DNA Testing for Robert Conway
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, those convicted of crimes can have DNA evidence tested post-conviction if the perpetrator’s identity was at issue during the trial and DNA testing would establish prove the defendant is “actually innocent.” Norristown man Robert Conway, convicted … Continue reading
Posted in General, Pennsylvania Law
