DNA Test Confirms Juries are Better Than Celebrities in Deciding Guilt
From Wizbang:
New DNA tests confirmed the guilt of a man who went to his death in Virginia’s electric chair in 1992 proclaiming his innocence, a spokeswoman for the governor said Thursday.
The case had been closely watched by both sides in the death penalty debate because no executed convict in the United States has ever been exonerated by scientific testing.
The tests, ordered by the governor last month, prove Roger Keith Coleman was guilty of the 1981 rape and murder of his sister-in-law, Gov. Mark R. Warner’s spokeswoman Ellen Qualls said.
Wizbang notes that it’s telling that his Centurion Ministries page contains this introduction to his press release:
Today, January 12, 2006, we are sad to let you know that Governor Mark Warner has announced that the DNA testing in the Roger Keith Coleman case has confirmed Roger’s guilt.
Sad? Isn’t this what the system is supposed to do? Or is it sad that the Ministry was gamed one more time by a con? Is it sad to the jury that knew that Coleman was guilty of raping and then killing his sister-in-law? Is it sad to his lawyers who have been playing the system for decades? Is it sad to the Catholic Church since Pope John Paul II tried to block the execution. How about all of the talk shows and magazines that carried his interviews with his pleas of innocence.
Here’s what he said the night of his execution:
“An innocent man is going to be murdered tonight,” the 33-year-old said moments before he was electrocuted on May 20, 1992. “When my innocence is proven, I hope America will realize the injustice of the death penalty as all other civilized countries have.”
It might be a surprise to the Mike Farrells of the world, but killers on death row have been known to lie about their guilt. Coleman did and so did Tookie. That’s why we have juries and not b-level celebrities decide who gets the chair (or needle). In addition to Centurion Ministries, four newspapers became convinced of his innocence. Once again, that’s why we have juries and not people like Michael Hiltzik render verdicts.
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January 13th, 2006 at 8:05 am
SAD, that another animal is gone???? Sad would be if indeed a mistake was made. I for one am happy as hell it turned out the way it did, unfortunatly very little will be printed about this. If it would have turned out any other way the front page of every newsprint would be all over this. Thats SAD.
January 14th, 2006 at 11:13 am
I don’t no why I would feel sorry for a convicted murderer who was executed. The needle or the chair is a lot more mercy than he showed his victim. Furthermore, I for one, could care less about “correction” of felons in general. I would rather see a return to the good old days of punishment! You know, where people pay the price for their crimes. No, more parole for good behaviour. No, more probation. And no more hippie bull kakka calling for these scum bags to be coddled. Take away the cable TV, the weight rooms, and all other feel could comforts. Let criminals suffer! Then maybe they’ll think twice about coming back to the iron bar hotel.
January 17th, 2006 at 12:45 am
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April 25th, 2006 at 8:26 am
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