Supreme Court Rules in Favor of New Evidence in Death Case

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday to allow a death-row inmate to bring forth new DNA evidence to attempt to prove his innocence two decades after he was convicted of slaying his neighbor.

The court’s decision proves to be a significant one because the many pardons of death-row inmates due to DNA testing have raised serious concerns among prosecutors and civil libertarians that innocent people could have been put to death or have been executed.

According to Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, the new evidence in Paul Gregory House’s case was enough to justify a federal lawsuit claiming innocence for the murder of his neighbor, Carolyn Muncey.

Twenty years after House was convicted, new DNA evidence found that semen on the victim’s underwear and nightgown did not belong to House, but to her husband.

Kennedy ruled that a jury may find reasonable doubt because of the new evidence, which points to Muncey’s husband. Furthermore, it could be argued that the small blood spots found on House’s pants were from the vials of blood taken from the victim during her autopsy.

Contact Us to speak with an experienced Criminal Attorney today.