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

Featured news
‘Tough-on-Crime’ Policies Are at Odds With the Presumption of Innocence
Dear Friend, We launch into 2023, with big, ambitious plans for the coming year, buoyed by last year’s successes — including six ...
News01.26.23
‘Tough-on-Crime’ Policies Are at Odds With the Presumption of Innocence
Ian Schweitzer Exonerated of Murder After 25 Years in Hawaii
New DNA evidence identifies one unknown male perpetrator, proving Mr. Schweitzer and his co-defendants’ innocence in 1991 murder and rape.
News01.24.23
Ian Schweitzer Exonerated of Murder After 25 Years in Hawaii
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.