ROCKLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine man convicted of killing a 12-year-old girl more than three decades ago launched his latest bid on Thursday for a new trial by trying to convince a judge that advances in DNA testing raise questions about his guilt.
The attorney for Dennis Dechaine called his first witness at the start of a two-day hearing in Knox County Superior Court. Dechaine is trying to make the case that tests conducted by a California laboratory excluded his DNA from several items found at the crime scene, requiring a new trial in which jurors could weigh all the evidence.
Prosecutors have contended plenty of other evidence links Dechaine to the crime and that his DNA could not be excluded from several other items.
Dechaine, 66, is serving a life sentence for the murder and sexual assault of Sarah Cherry, who disappeared while babysitting in Bowdoin in July 1988. Her body was found two days later.
Katie Price reveals her plans to REDUCE her surgically enhanced assets
NPC spokesperson affirms full support for HK's legislation of Article 23
Xi greets Sharif on election as Pakistani PM
France says no to U.S. on the seizure of Russian assets
Zimbabwe frees prisoners, including those sentenced to death, in an independence day amnesty
The northern section of Beijing Subway Line 17 will open by the end of the year
New cultural buildings open in capital's sub
250,000 Afghan children need education, food and homes after returning from Pakistan, says NGO
China's top political advisory body concludes standing committee session