The Topeka Capital-Journal
reported on Friday that the Kansas high court ruled that a state statute limiting post-conviction DNA testing to only those convicted of first-degree murder or rape was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The ruling reversed a Wyandotte County District Court ruling that denied DNA testing to Jerome Cheeks, who was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison in 1993.
The court’s holding extended the right to petition for post-conviction DNA testing to certain people who have been convicted of second-degree murder.
The state’s Supreme Court sent the case back to the district court to establish whether Cheeks meets two other requirements necessary to secure DNA testing of evidence found at the crime scene.
Read the full article
.
Read the opinion
.
News 10.08.13
Kansas Supreme Court Expands DNA Testing Statute
Share this story
Help us advocate for the innocent by sharing the latest news from the Innocence Project.
Follow us on Instagram
Featured news
The Fierce Urgency of Now
The Innocence Project Executive Director looks at the challenges of the current criminal legal landscape and urgent need for action.
News09.12.22
The Fierce Urgency of Now
Former Innocence Project Attorney Nina Morrison Became a Judge This Week. Here’s Why It Matters to the Criminal Legal System.
This week, the Innocence Project’s former senior litigation counsel, Nina Morrison, was sworn in as a United States District Judge for ...
News09.01.22
Former Innocence Project Attorney Nina Morrison Became a Judge This Week. Here’s Why It Matters to the Criminal Legal System.
Remembering Bill Russell
It is a good sign for our country that the outpouring of affection and admiration for Bill Russell emphasizes his crucial role in the ...
News08.02.22
Remembering Bill Russell
Loading...
Thanks for your comment
Thank you for visiting us. You can learn more about how we consider cases here. Please avoid sharing any personal information in the comments below and join us in making this a hate-speech free and safe space for everyone.