North Carolina Execution Stopped for Additional DNA Testing

The execution of a convicted criminal on death row was stopped on Wednesday to allow for more DNA testing, which the inmate claims will prove his innocence.

Jerry Wayne Conner, 40, was convicted of murdering a store clerk Minh Rogers and her teenage daughter, Linda Rogers, 16 years ago. Conner was scheduled to be executed at 2 a.m. last Friday, but his defense attorneys requested new DNA tests, which they say are more accurate than the DNA testing procedures available at the time of Conner’s trial.

Additionally, defense attorneys refused to go to Conner’s clemency meeting before the execution unless new testing was ordered.

“As we have said from the beginning, we believe that a DNA test is the only way that the state of North Carolina can be confident that the right person is being punished for these crimes,” defense lawyer Mark Kleinschmidt said.

The defense points to another possible suspect in the killings that was seen around the store the night of the murder.

However, District Attorney Frank Parrish believes the new testing won’t appeal the court ruling. “There is not a third party that will loom into view from this testing. It’s not a whodunit,” Parrish said.

Parrish adds that the only question the testing will answer is whether private or state lab tests are more accurate.

According to the court order, “Defendant’s motion for stay of execution is allowed…for the limited purpose of reversing the trial court’s denial of DNA testing and remanding this case to Gates County Superior Court for entry of an order requiring that biological evidence in the possession of the State be DNA tested.”

If you believe yourself or a loved one has been wrongly convicted of a crime contact a lawyer in your area today.