Morning Sentinel
Maine needs to get with
times with DNA evidence
Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Monday, February 26, 2007

Connecticut (2) exonerated, Maryland (3) exonerated, New Jersey (4) exonerated, Ohio (6) exonerated, California (9) exonerated, Massachusetts (9) exonerated, Pennsylvania (9) exonerated, Virginia (10) exonerated, New York (21) exonerated, Illinois (21) exonerated, Texas (26) exonerated. All exonerated due to post conviction DNA testing. And there are more.

The powerful crime-fighting tool of DNA has helped add certainty to the justice systems in these states for many years. But in Maine, Dennis Dechaine still remains in the Maine State Prison, even after post-conviction DNA has proved his innocence. Isn't this a miscarriage of justice making the State of Maine bias toward scientific exonerating evidence? It's time we as citizens question why and say, "Not in our state!"

Sandy Weston

Madison


Reader comments

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salem of standish, ME
Feb 27, 2007 10:59 AM
I can not believe the hold up in maine.I too feel that offcials are so afraid to admit they might have the wrong man locked up for almost 19 years.If thats the case a child killer is out there some where.report abuse
OldSmoker of Brunswick, ME
Feb 26, 2007 10:35 AM
Maine's only behind the times in Justice because certain officials will do anything to keep their misconduct from being exposed -- and because it seems that the rest of the system thinks that's OK.
And yet, we hear law enforcement people and lawyers wondering why they're not trusted any more.
High price to pay for a few officials' CYA.
report abuse

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