Court hears appeal in 'West Memphis Three' case

Court Alerts

A lawyer for one of the three men convicted of killing three 8-year-old Cub Scouts in West Memphis told the Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday that new scientific evidence in the case merits reopening his client's case.

Damien Echols has maintained his innocence since his arrest in the 1993 killings. Attorney Dennis Riordan told the court that DNA testing conducted after Echols' conviction did not place Echols at the scene and that other scientific evaluation of evidence contradicts statements made by one of the three men during a confession.

Riordan asked the court to send the case back to circuit court for an evidentiary hearing so that the trial judge can sort out the new evidence.

If the hearing is conducted, Riordan said the judge would have to take the next step and order a new trial.

"It is in the interest of the state and Mr. Echols that we get to that point as soon as possible," Riordan said.

The Legislature passed a law allowing DNA testing in cases when the technology wasn't available in the original trial, Assistant Attorney General David Roupp argued the evidence has to prove innocence, not just raise questions.

Related listings

  • Woman due in Washington court in acid hoax case

    Woman due in Washington court in acid hoax case

    Court Alerts 09/29/2010

    The Washington state woman who falsely claimed a stranger threw acid in her face is due in court in what will be her first public appearance since she held a hospital press conference nearly a month ago with her head swathed in bandages.Bethany Storr...

  • Conn. lawyer called to court over remarks to media

    Conn. lawyer called to court over remarks to media

    Court Alerts 09/28/2010

    A judge has ordered an attorney for one of two Connecticut men charged with killing a mother and her two daughters in a 2007 home invasion to explain why he shouldn't face criminal contempt proceedings after speaking out about the case.New Haven Supe...

  • NY wife-killing case back in court after hung jury

    NY wife-killing case back in court after hung jury

    Court Alerts 09/27/2010

    The case of a New York man accused of killing his wife and incinerating her in an oil drum is going back to court.Opening arguments in the retrial of Werner Lippe of Cortlandt, N.Y., are set for Monday at the Westchester County Courthouse.Lippe confe...

Illinois Work Injury Lawyers – Krol, Bongiorno & Given, LTD.

Accidents in the workplace are often caused by unsafe work conditions arising from ignoring safety rules, overlooking maintenance or other negligence of those in management. While we are one of the largest firms in Illinois dedicated solely to the representation of injured workers, we pride ourselves on the personal, one-on-one approach we deliver to each client.

Work accidents can cause serious injuries and sometimes permanent damage. Some extremely serious work injuries can permanently hinder a person’s ability to get around and continue their daily duties. Factors that affect one’s quality of life such as place of work, relationships with friends and family, and social standing can all be taken away quickly by a work injury. Although, you may not be able to recover all of your losses, you may be entitled to compensation as a result of your work injury. Krol, Bongiorno & Given, LTD. provides informed advocacy in all kinds of workers’ compensation claims, including:

• Injuries to the back and neck, including severe spinal cord injuries
• Serious head injuries
• Heart problems resulting from workplace activities
• Injuries to the knees, elbows, shoulders and other joints
• Injuries caused by repetitive movements

For Illinois Workers’ Compensation claims, you will ALWAYS cheat yourself if you do not hire an experienced attorney. When you hire Krol, Bongiorno & Given, Ltd, you will have someone to guide you through the process, and when it is time to settle, we will add value to your case IN EXCESS of our fee. In the last few years, employers and insurance carriers have sought to advance the argument that when you settle a case without an attorney, your already low settlement should be further reduced by 20% so that you do not get a “windfall.” Representing yourself in Illinois is a lose-lose proposition.

Business News

New York & New Jersey Family Law Matters We represent our clients in all types of proceedings that include termination of parental rights. >> read