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Kentucky Prosecutor Calls for Increased Access to Post-Conviction DNA Testing
Posted: February 7, 2012 10:55 am
Legislation pending in Kentucky would allow anyone in state custody convicted of certain felonies or violent crimes to seek DNA testing in order to prove innocence. One of the legislation’s strongest advocates is Jefferson Commonwealth's Attorney Dave Stengel of Louisville.
The Lexington Herald Leader writes:
It's telling that the prosecutor who oversees more criminal cases than anyone in Kentucky recently testified in favor of expanding the availability of post-conviction DNA testing.
We don't usually expect prosecutors to help convicts get out of jail. But when the wrong person is locked up, the individual who actually committed a violent crime is not held accountable and our system of justice has failed.
Currently, only Kentucky death row prisoners are allowed to seek testing. All but two states have post-conviction DNA access laws, but many of them are limited.
If you live in Kentucky, call Speaker of the House Greg Stumbo at 1-800-372-7181 and tell him that you are a Kentuckian who supports HB178, the bill which would expand access to post-conviction DNA testing. For more information about what you can do, see our action alert.
Read the full editorial.
Read more about post-conviction DNA access.
Tags: Kentucky