PORTLAND, Maine — Additional testing on clothing belonging to a 12-year-old Maine girl who was murdered in 1988 has revealed male DNA, but it’s too early to say what the evidence means.
The DNA has not yet been compared with other samples, including DNA from Dennis Dechaine, the man serving a life sentence after being convicted of killing Sarah Cherry of Bowdoin.
The new evidence is part of Dechaine’s lengthy appeals process to win a new trial. He maintains he did not kill the girl.
His lawyer told The Portland Press Herald that he hopes the new DNA evidence can prove that the now 54-year-old Dechaine did not kill Sarah. But he acknowledges it could backfire.
Prosecutors say it is unclear what the new DNA evidence means at this point.
I did not live in Maine at the time of this trial so I do not have an opinion about guilt or innocence of the accused and convicted. But hopefully, there will be further testing to determine once and for all whether Deschaine did it or whether he was wrongfully convicted.
I did live in Maine. I did follow this trial and all of the other hearings over the years since his conviction. I also do know a number of the people who were directly involved in this investigation and the trial. NOT ONE OF THEM BELIEVE HE IS INNOCENT. I do not believe he is innocent. Yes, he has legions of supporters and fans (many female) who feel he is innocent. So does Drew Peterson, Scott Peterson and __________(insert a name of a good looking murderer). People think because he doesn’t “look” like he could do it, that he didn’t. Well, there were a lot of good looking serial killers also. Looks have nothing to do with it. GUILT DOES! Stop beating this dead horse and quit wasting court time and taxpayer money.
As I said, I do not know whether he commited the crime or not. But I believe the DNA testing would finally give a definitive answer, even if it proved that he is guilty. But bear in mind that innocent people have been convicted and their convictions have been overturned through DNA testing. I do not know whether that would be the case here. But it would put any question to rest. And for the record, there are people who have been falsely convicted. If you read John Grisham’s book, An Innocent Man, you will read about such a case. If you are more of a movie buff, then see the movie Conviction, based on a Massachusetts case. Wrongful convictions can and do happen. I am not saying that is not the case here. I do not think Deschaine’s looks mean that he could not be a killer. I know too much about human nature to believe that. Sometimes evil comes wrapped in an attractive package.
Thanks Mimi2kool…your right…Sometimes evil does come wrapped in an attractive package.
Wow….one person here with a brain…ONE
if he didn’t do it like he claims, how can the DNA evidence “backfire”?
perhaps it is because if the dna evidence is not his then who did it? i am not sure but that is my guess.
if it’s not his, then the DNA evidence wouldn’t “backfire”.
it would be backfiring on those people that have been forever saying that dennis is guilty.
Dosen’t mean it would backfire for Dennis, It would backfire for the Case and Family… It may not be cnclusive is what I’m thinking…
If there is not enough to get a match, but enough to say it was male then yes, in that case it could actually be added as evidence against him. I am not sure if this is how it can work however.
It can backfire by proving that the DNA is in fact his and he’s guilty. I’m not saying that he is because I don’t know all the facts of the case but I am interested in what the outcome will be. I remember this story very well.
DNA can be ‘planted”.
Yep, and Elvis is still alive….enjoy the Kool-Aid !
i have always been fascinated by this story. since the victim was about my age when the crime was committed and dennis deschaine is from where i grew up. i remember the teacher having us write to him while he was in prison to support him. odd i know but that is what we did. i have followed it to a degree but have not read all the book that came out nor would i want to for it is too graphic for my taste but many people have read and i have had some tell me after reading it you would see this man is innocent. but we shall see. dna is everything and does not lie.
Your teacher had you write a letter supporting a convicted child killer? Your teacher should have been fired.
Yes — he or she should have been fired. Despicable.
Where did you go to school…..Alcatraz ?
I do not know Dennis but i do know his family.. I did however read the books that were published by Moore. And i have come to the conclusion based on the books that he could not have done it.. However i realize the books were one sided or written to make you believe he is innocent.. If he is innocent and i believe he is based on what i learned from friends and his family and the books, I hope this proves once and for all what and who is responsible for Sarah Cherry’s death.. I am from Madawaska and have cousins that went to school with Dennis and they all claim he could not of done it, he is not that kind of person.. When you come from a small town such as Madawaska you learn quickly that everyone has an opinion, you also learn that they are quick to point the finger of guilt.. I have never encountered that with Dennis.. I have never heard anyone say that he could of done it but i have heard that he could not have done it, by anyone you might ask about it.. But if he is innocent like everyone says, i hope this proves it and he is freed expeditiously. Then maybe they can catch the right person that did the crime and hopefully he rots in prison for ruining the lives of everyone that’s in stake here, Such as of course Sarah and her family, as well as Dennis and his..
Those books, Trail & Error and Human Sacrifice, written by Mr. Moore were not written to show that Dechaine was innocent. Moore thought he was guilty but concluded otherwise after doing all the research for his books.
I read the books as well and he got railroaded.
Do you know where I might be able to find these books? I would be interested in reading them.
Really?
Keep drinking the Kool-Aid pal !
Now that you are well-versed in the books and the opinions of those who support Dennis, in order for you to arrive at a well-balanced, fully informed conclusion, perhaps you should talk with the people involved in the investigation, read the trial transcripts, talk to the family of the murdered girl and their supporters. In cases like these, there are always those who refuse to acknowledge the truth, if that truth does not fit with their opinion. Rumors, innuendo, baseless accusations about corruption or shoddy police work, etc. constantly swirl around these cases. Just because they are loud, does not make them correct.
So, if and when the the DNA confirms Mr. Dechaine’s guilt, you will see these same legions of supporters loudly claim that it was corrupted, planted, tainted, etc. in order to keep their version of “reality” alive.
Lastly, the phrase “he is just not that kind of person” always makes me cringe. For crying out loud, if “that kind of person” was always obvious, or fit a specific mold, then it would be a hell of a lot easier to prevent the crime in the first place, would it not? We could just round up all of “those kind of people” and lock them away. Sounds a bit archaic and irrational, but that is, essentially, what you are suggesting with a comment about “that type of person” committing any kind of crime. Believe me, criminals (murderers, sex offenders, burglars, etc) come from all walks of life, and in many different forms.
Yeah, I guess the supporters think bad guys have a bar code ??
The folks in Madawaska didn’t know that Dennis was in the habit of injecting amphetamines purchased from drug dealers in public bathrooms. They believed he wasn’t that kind of person … except he was by his own admission.
Does that mean he’s guilty of murder? No, it just means people can become quite adept at hiding the bad things they do.
What makes Dechaine guilty is the evidence, and there was plenty of it.
Like many others, I have been following this case for years. I don’t think there would be this much support for someone, if he did it. A conviction was gotten much too quickly in this case. There have been too many denials of evidence on the part of the state, because they KNOW they screwed up and don’t want to admit it. They are just hoping that if they drag this case out for as long as they can, Mr. Dechaine will pass away and they will be off the hook for messing this up so badly. I think it’s a case of Mr. Dechaine being in the wrong place at the wrong time and the state made the crime fit the evidence……and not allowing other evidence to be tested and used for a new trial.
While your hypothesis is certainly interesting, your assessment tool for measuring guilt is hardly accurate. You think he is innocent because there is “so much support” for him? That is hardly an indication of guilt or innocence. The argument that a conviction was “gotten much too quickly” is an interesting one. Are you aware of one’s constitutional right to a speedy trial?
As for the state’s arguing against further court proceedings, it is their job to defend their work in the case, and to avoid spending taxpayer money on frivolous actions. Even Dechaine’s attorney admitted that testing the DNA could very well backfire on him, and prove (again) that his client is guilty.
I did not say he was innocent because of “so much support.” I am saying he is not being allowed to present evidence that MIGHT prove his innocence. Yes, it is the states job to defend their work, but it is also not right that the defense is not being allowed to present some evidence that may change the outcome of this case. I say, (and this is MY opinion and I’m entitled to that!) there is something not right with the way Dechaine is shot down every time he wants to present this evidence. Put it to you this way, if you were being accused of something that you didn’t do, and had some proof you didn’t do it, but were told, “Nope, don’t want to hear it or see it” would that be fair to YOU? Again, just my opinion, I think something fishy is going on with the whole case.
It could backfire if it is his. Problem with the DNA on the clothes is it could have gotten there any time.
Exactly Dana. The only conclusive evidence that can come out of this would be if they indeed find Dechaine’s DNA. That would be the final nail in the coffin. If it’s not his, it still does not prove him innocent. Only that the dress had contact with a male other than Dschaine. If that happens to be a family member, then it could just be a coincidence. Not proof. I”m curious to see how it’s all handled, and how the integrity of the “sample” is after all this time.
I have read a lot of the news reports regarding Mr Deschaine’s case since the beginning and I sincerely can’t make any decision on his guilt or innocence.
That said, the flight of the dead child’s stepdad (?) I always found concerning and the way the state has continuously blocked new and/or DNA evidence has always felt desperate to me. However, the state did make a pretty good circumstantial case. Of course anyone with an imagination and just a little bit of “evidence” can spin a pretty good yarn. Or at least one good enough to convince a jury looking to get a monster off the streets. Sometimes any monster/person will do.
This case reminds me of other more high profile cases over the years where evidence was called into question: magic bullets, bloody gloves. This new DNA is not likely to settle this case, unless the DNA turns out to be Deschaine’s; if it is anyone elses it will only open the case up for further debate and perhaps a new investigation and trial.
My only wish is that all those involved find justice: the child’s family, Deschaine, and the person who may have been the actual killer.
It wasn’t the dead childs stepdad…early on in the investigation as the net was cast to talk to EVERYONE, it caught a person who had admitted to sexual contact with a family member in his own family (no relation to the victim) , and his trial was either just going on or just adjudicated. It was that mans father that eventually became the vicitms step father. I admit this may not be 100% accurate as this persons story is a little convaluted, but clearly investigated until it ended having nothing to do with this crime.
It is about time that this DNA be tested ……………………………. the one thing that always puzzled me was the fact that the State fought so hard “NOT” to have this evidence tested, it just makes me wonder if they know that they may have railroaded Dechaine.
Exactly, someone had to take the fall…
Right. Because the LEO’s and James Tierney — all of whom lived in the area and most of whom had children — just wanted to convict someone, anyone, and let the “real” child rapist and murderer walk free in their community.
and you should read the book. the portion i read and what others have told me there are many things that the state of maine held back. so yes indeed deschaine got railroaded.
Words from a railroaded man (from the trial transcripts)
In an extremely emotional scene, Dechaine allegedly made the following statements to Detective Westrum: “Oh my God, it should never have happened . . . Why did I do this? . . . I went home and told my wife that I did something bad and she just laughed at me . . . I told her I wouldn’t kill myself; besides, that’s the easy way out . . . [P]lease believe me, something inside must have made me do that . . . Why would I do this? . . . I didn’t think it actually happened until I saw her face on the news; then it all came back to me. I remembered it . . . Why did I kill her? . . . What punishment could they ever give me that would equal what I’ve done? . . . I feel so bad for her. My God, how must her mother and father feel? It was something inside that must have made me do that . . . How can I live with myself again? . . . I wish I had never gone on that road that day. Why couldn’t my truck have broken down instead? . . . I don’t think my wife believes me. . . Why did I let this happen? (Westrum transcript pages 826-842)
People are trying to free a guilty man that was found guilty by a jury because it is a challenge a small amount of lawyers live for….but certainly national lawyers enjoy this type of challenge…while the rest of us live in a world of right and wrong and a civil society
Where would one find the trial transcripts?
Just search Dechaine trial transcript
Trial transcripts are public record. sigh . . . Just use the googles. You can read the full, unexpurgated transcript of the original trial as well as the transcripts of subsequent appeals.
Sorry to bother you, I was just curious. I found them.
Yep, everything is a conspiracy dude……everything !
INNOCENT!!
GUILTY AS HELL !!
I’m so sick of the taxpayers wasting money on this. Ask Dennis’ ex wife if he did it or how about the fact that his first attorney George Cartlon was contacted by Fern Larochelle (DA at the time) and he asked Cartlon if the girl was alive? Carlton answered “no” and then asked Carlton if the search party was looking in the right area? Carlton answered “yes”. Magically the girl was found an hour later. Lets see, Dechaine said to the prison guards “i’m the one who murdered this girl, please put me solitary confinement.” Lets see, admitted to Det. Westrum, “Mark, why did I do this?” ” I saw her on TV and it all came back to me” ” I feel so sorry for her parents” ” What punishment do I deserve for what I’ve done” Lets see, Admitted to Det Hensbee, “It must have been someone else inside me that made me do that.” Lets see, hid his car keys in the cruiser. Lied to police, lied to the people who caught him coming out of the same exact woods her body was found. His truck was parked near where the body was found. A Tire track in the drive way were consistent with one of his tires. And lets see, HIS PAPERS ( A RECEIPT AND NOTEBOOK) WERE FOUND AT THE SCENE OF THE ABDUCTION SITE, WITH HIS NAME ON IT! ROPE THAT SHE WAS TIED UP WITH MATCHED ROPE FOUND IN HIS TRUCK AND IN HIS BARN….. HIS RED TRUCK WAS SEEN DRIVING AWAY FROM THE ABDUCTION SITE. People should be so sick of hearing about this druggie.
DNA cannot wipe away the evidence as above….but the defense can certainly try. I hope he gets a new trial, so the mountain of evidence can again…officially brand this man the monster that he is….too bad this man murdered a child and now will drag the rest of her family and this community through another psychological trial….Justice was done and Maine is content with the verdict. Anti-societal behavior with a tumor of selfishness….The death penalty could certainly relieve some of this for society.
No.Maine is NOT content with the verdict.EDUCATE yourself on this issue,and you will see something very ver wrong.
read the trial evidence….there is nothing wrong here…but an anti-societal maniac commited murder and then lost his truck at the scene…
I guess the best way for me to reply to you is: Would you have been happy if you were wrongly convicted on this crime based on that evidence? I think it was largely circumstantial although the state presented a good case. I think if we have better techniques today to confirm or deny the state’s case, then, we should all want to see this test done and know the results. I have read the books on this case, and still have no real opinion either way, I would like to know how this turns out. I am not convinced this man is innocent, but I am far from convinced he was guilty.
Remember, if he really is innocent, then there is still a killer getting away with his crime out there. Is this what we want?
Funny there were 2 other abductions in the area prior to Sara’s dissapearance, and then ZERO after dipstick was arrested….Hmmmm
I am not saying he didn’t do it. But maybe those abductions are taking place in another part of the country. I read a lot of the evidence and I remain unconvinced of guilt or innocence. Because of that I would like to see what science can tell us. The evidence has already been testes and a DNA profile already exists. Dennis simply wants to have the chance to have his DNA compared to the profile from three separate areas of the clothing worn by Sarah Cherry. I think we deserve to have Dennis’s profile compared, so we know whether there is a murderer still on the loose or not.
I had not heard about the other abductions. Did those victims live? Were they able to identify Dechaine?
No…they are DEAD, kinda hard to appear in court under those circumstances. The DNA is a joke too because it’s skin cells. They can be deposited by touch contact, i.e, detectives, lab assistants, evidence booking, follow up investigators and yes a killer. But it means nothing because it’s not saliva, semen or blood. All of which would be definate signs of attack, but skin cells only show contact that is not definitive. If semen or saliva were found in the bra for example, then obviously it was not placed there by casual contact. This was actually a dumb move for the defense because if his skin cells are found to be on ANY of her clothing…he’s toast, because it shows he was in her presense at some point prior to death which he denied.
No they are dead !
He belongs six feet under….the fact he is still breathing is disgusting !
The DNA should not give him a new trial, it should confirm his guilt and that shall close the case once and for all. He and his family should then reimburse the State of Maine for all the taxpayer money spent in confirming what was correctly done in the first place.
DNA evidence speaks volumes, also, and he should be allowed to have that evidence presented in court. For the state to be denying that, does not look good for them, just as the evidence you described above does not look good for Mr. Dechaine.
The state’s job is to defend their work in an honest conviction in the first place, and to prevent the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars chasing a convicts pipe dreams.
If there is any conflict, and DNA can offer new light, then I believe, it is every American’s right to have that DNA tested. So many innocent people have been found to have been incarcerated falsely, all with good intentions, I hope, that this should just be automatic. I hate crime, and those who hurt children especially, but if there is a chance the wrong person has been jailed, then we owe it to the prisoner, but more to the family of Sarah Cherry, in this case, to be sure the right person has been tried and convicted and that there is not a killer living among us.
He belongs six feet under….the fact he is still breathing is disgusting !
Really?? Putting the innocence or lack thereof of Dennis Dechaine aside for a moment, do you care so little about the justice system in this country? He was convicted on circumstantial evidence, there was no physical evidence, in fact the lack of it was pretty astounding. Now we have the means to check some physical evidence that did exist, something that could not be done at the time.
I realize he was convicted by a jury, but juries have gotten wrong before. Being convicted makes one legally “guilty” but not always truly guilty. And if that jury did get it wrong, forget there is an innocent person in jail for a crime he did not commit, there is murderer still on the loose, getting away with something while someone else does his time.
Honest?? I don’t think so….
if all you said was such fact…. these high profile attorneys would NOT be wasting their time as you just did in your fictional rant….You are way off from everything I have read on this case…some things you speak of are correct but others are fantasy
Umm… all he said IS fact, actually. There is a claim by defense that DNA evidence from the victim’s nails (untestable at the time of trial due to the limits of science at that time)is from another unidentified person. The problem is that this evidence is arguably contaminated, as it was in the possession of defense counsel after the close of trial. This fairly pedestrian case comes down to a confession, together with all of the evidence (the rope and the notebook are most damning) weighed against DNA evidence found on the victim and tested years later that is highly suspect. As for whether or not “high profile” attorneys are only interested in high profile cases that have merit, I say…. are you kidding me?
Ever heard of planted evidence? And maybe a cop was involved in the killing? There goes your most damning evidence u speak of …..silly you ..your facts of this case are truly bias and twisted …but we all have our own opinions
Ever heard of too much weed ?? Lemme guess….the government blew up the towers on 9/11 and Elvis is still alive….RIGHT ???
Actually Jon delivered facts. As for “high profile attorneys” — they defend guilty people all the time.
……O.J.
All these lawyers need is the DNA…they can spin all other evidence away….see OJ Simpson case…..
Yeah, high profile attorneys are always right….just look at O.J. right dude ??
WHAT high-profiled attorneys? The picture of Bailey and Dechaine is from 2009. I actually heard Bailey in an interview state that if he felt that the evidence — or lack thereof — indicated that Dechaine was innocent, he would lend his support. He went on to say that if the evidence pointed toward Dechaine’s guilt then he was right where he belonged for life. Have you heard one word of support from Bailey since 2009?
Spot on accurate !!
People have been convicted in the past with what under a person finger nail
This guys looks creeps me out and always has. Yet if there is another man/womens DNA there then that person should be exposed.. Some women will do anthing to make sure their little girl comes in first.. Look at the newspapers prior to her death to see what was happening in that town.
Good Point!The book”Trial and Error’ does in fact explain what was going on. The stepfather was about to face a conviction for abusing one of the victim’s peers,who mysteriously disappeared.There was much indeed going on.Good observation!
The book “Trial and Error”? The book is titled Human Sacrifice. The groupies who have supported this monster for over twenty years call themselves Trial and Error.
They are mostly just Error ((-:
Was notttttt the stepfather, it was the stepfather’s father and he was into it for contact with someone on his side of the family….no relation to the victim…..HELLOOOOOOO
Also,17 years in prison would proably make even Johnny Depp look creepy.. Poor guy…Plus the things they did to him in prison,like trying tio ave him shipped to a high fatality prison in NJ in the dead of night w/out letting his lawyer knoew about it.Man,that would spaz me out a bit too…
Link to any supporting facts about the allegation that he was to be moved to New Jersey? On what grounds? Why in the world would he be moved from the Maine corrections system?
That would be awesome, they know how to treat skinners the right way in New Jersey !!
Just imagine if it comes out that this man did not commit this crime…wow.. I believe he is innocent but you see if this evidence comes back to him then it will be a different story. but if it does not then it will ad to my belief he is innocent. BUT rest assured if it comes back to someone else the police will say it is easily explained….lol
GUILTY…..
Could be wrong but have always had a gut feeling he is innocent.. Either way its time it was proven one way or the other so this DNA finding could prove important.
DNA doesn’t do anything, it will only set this man free…what does this monster have to lose for DNA…if it identifies him, he stays in jail anyway. But if its inconclusive or just shows a random DNA or…that great phrase ‘someone other than the suspect’…then he finds the sleaziest lawyers in the world and moves forward…..what was that case that happened in Calif awhile ago…geeez, wish i could remember that name…pretty famous…..pro fotball player…….murderous temper…really good sleazy lawyers who got him off, while ignoring hard evidence…….name escapes me…….
Awesome !
His guilt was proven years ago based on the mountain of evidence presented at trial. Other people’s DNA on the victim’s clothes will not erase that evidence, nor will it implicate another suspect. Dechaine’s DNA on her clothes, on the other hand, would be yet one more piece of evidence against a man who left plenty of it near the crime scene that day in 1988.
Ah,so..His TRUCK did it?..Dont believe everything you read in the public media.If you want you can see the actual transcripts from the trial.And the actual,not doctored by the press} pre trial interrogation.Itll make your hair stand on end.Anyone of us could have been chosen for his {Deschaine’s}position.
Nobody said the truck but the rope came from the truck…do you want me to get out the crayons for you ??
FREE JEFFERY McDONALD!!!!
FREE BEER ON FRIDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I remember at the time of the murder, there was an ex-inmate working with or near Deschaine. After Deschaine’s arrest, the guy left the State, never to be further questioned or considered for the crime. Does that ring any bells for anyone. I can’t quite remember the details.
So did this ‘ex-inmate’ steal his truck?..so, Deschaine, who clearly lost his truck when it was found near the murder scene, said this ‘ex-inmate’ stole it, borrowed it, etc?…and the scratches on his back and the muddy handprints on his back when he was questioned and searched the next day was from…this ex-inmate?..and the rope that was used in this murder-torture was also found at this persons residence, could have been stolen by this ‘ex-inmate’….seems like someone should find this ‘ex-inmate’ as he may hold some of these mysteries…
He is running a tiki bar in Key West with the real murderer of Nicole Simpson.
Hahaha….good one !
A well worn path is easily lead and well followed, so the critics believe he is guilty by reading articles in the newspaper. By the same token, an overwhelming majority of the people familar with the case seem to believe he is innocent. I would not put it past the prosecution in Maine to perform such a bush league amateur investigation and try to get this done as quickly as possible. There are countless number of cases where injustice has been served, perhaps this is one more.
Ahh, so the well worn path of all the fans of Dennis Dechaine is also easily led and well followed?? See, it works both ways.
What I find more telling in your post is that it is clear you have great disdain for the police and, therefore, believe anything they do (and the prosecutors do) is suspect, in your opinion. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, however, your biased rants do not equate to unequivocal proof of anything.
If more people would approach situations with an open mind, life would be much less complicated and much less hostile.
I believe he is guilty by reading articles in the newspaper during the course of his trial (and after); reading the book written by his number one supporter, James Moore; reading the trial transcripts and other documents posted online by his supporters at Trial and Error.
I am certain that if all these people posting and proclaiming his innocence here read the “actual” transcripts they would be completely appalled and sickened.
There is NOT ONE PERSON who worked on the case (i.e. familiar) that believes this man is innocent. NOT ONE.
Except for Mr.Moore, who set out to write a book about how he was guilty. In the course of his research, he found so much exculpatory evidence that the jury never heard that he wrote a second book in which he details some of the flaws of our justice system.
It happens some times that the search for the truth becomes so narrow, it becomes narrow minded. Now we have the technology to make a better scientific determination. I, for one, think it should be done. If this man is innocent, then there a guilty person still free, and maybe still among us.
Moore did not work on the case. He did not attend the trial or personally interview witnesses, most of the LEOs, or attorneys.
Moore is a dillusional conspiracy nut and suffers from a bad case of “knowitall” syndrome.
Free Leonard Peltier
Free Arlo Looking Cloud
Free John Graham
This list of innocent red people imprisoned by our government is too long for this space.
Free Salad Bar at Applebee’s !!!
Keep smokin crack you knucklehead…..
I remember this case and I also remember right from the beginning that he said he didn’t do it. I believed him then and I still do believe him.
Maybe you should have Dennis over to babysit for you if he get’s out ?? Hmmmm
Taken directly from the Project Innocence Website:
There have been 297 post-conviction DNA exonerations in the United States.
The first DNA exoneration took place in 1989. Exonerations have been won in36 states; since 2000, there have been 230 exonerations.
17 of the 297 people exonerated through DNA served time on death row. Another 15 were charged with capital crimes but not sentenced to death.
The average length of time served by exonerees is 13 years. The total number of years served is approximately 3,944.
The average age of exonerees at the time of their wrongful convictions was 27.
Based on the above, if there is so much as one slim chance that Dennis Duchaine is innocent, then we owe him this test, We also owe this same test to any other inmate who has maintained his/her innocence post conviction. Here is the link, please feel free to read the stats: http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Facts_on_PostConviction_DNA_Exonerations.php
He belongs six feet under….the fact he is still breathing is disgusting !
Everyone is entitled to a fair trial, DNA, bring it, test it, put him on the stand again, if convicted, then it is conviction, if not, then he is owed a pretty big apology.
He may have done it, so at least let the DNA in to evidence and if it shows something else then go after it but if is shows it is his then drop it. I never wondered why they did not look at her stepfather closer as he also drove a red truck and had been in the area since he did live right near there. He quickly and quietly got out of town. Dechaine certainly liked his drugs but that does not make him guilty. Way more to this than they ever let the public know. Let the new evidence decide the fact he either belongs where he is to rot for life or let him be free. I just feel that in light of the new evidence it should be heard and if nothing comes of it then so be it. I still do not know if he is guilty or innocent only he knows.
WRONG…..was NOT the stepfather who had legal issues….check your sh#t !