Twenty six former Federal Agents have joined the ranks of those calling for the immediate release of the Norfolk Four. The announcement comes just months after 4 former Virginia attorneys general voiced their support for the sailors’ clemency.

Joseph Dick, Derek Tice, Danial William and Eric Wilson were charged in 1997 with the rape and murder of a Norfolk woman. Each of the men provided the police with conflicting confessions. None of the confessions matched the physical evidence, and all four men later recanted. A fifth man, Omar Ballard, confessed to committing the crime alone and was the only match for the DNA found at the scene of the crime. All five men were convicted. (more…)

Maryland lawmakers and Governor O'Malley's adminstration have come to an agreement on the wording of a DNA collection law.

The original language, supported by Governor O'Malley, allowed police to take DNA samples from people arrested for violent crimes or burgalary.  Members of Maryland's legislature disagreed with the regulation, and contended that DNA should only be collected from those who had been formally charged with a crime.  The two sides were able to reconcile their differences during a legislative session. (more…)

The Baltimore Sun published an article concerning a Baltimore judge who has ordered the city police to search for DNA evidence from a 1975 rape case or face a fine.

In January, Circuit Judge Wanda K. Heard ordered the Baltimore police department to search storage facilities for any DNA evidence remaining from John Williams Simms' 1977 trial. Judge Heard gave the prosecutor and police 90 days to submit a written report detailing their efforts. To date, no report has been filed. (more…)

The Virginia Crime Commission (VCC) will investigate better methods for notifying defendants in Virginia’s Old Case Retesting Project after discovering the current method fell short of expectations.

In February, the General Assembly passed a budget amendment that delegated the notification process to the Forensic Science Board (FSB). FSB decided in August to notify defendants by certified mail. Only 23 percent of the intended recipients of the first mailing confirmed receipt. Several of the delegates and Senators who passed the budget amendment serve on the VCC and were frustrated with the lack of progress. (more…)

On October 9th, the Richmond Times-Dispatch ran an article discussing the Virginia Forensic Science Board's request to the General Assembly for assistance with finding people who were affected by the recent DNA-testing project.

Since the start of Virginia's DNA-testing project, more than 600 persons have been sent letters notifying them that biological material has been found in their case files that may be suitable for DNA testing. (more…)

The Capital News Service ran an article on October 3rd that explored the effects of Maryland’s DNA collection law.