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.
Bethenny Frankel confesses that she used to 'force' herself to have sex with ex
Fernando Alonso commits his future to Aston Martin by signing new two
Blunders cost Crusaders dearly in loss to Waratahs
Kylie Minogue looks effortlessly chic in a pink silk co
The Patriots enter the NFL draft needing a QB, but could trade down to fill other needs
5 arrested at dawn over freak accident at Hong Kong boy band Mirror concert
Alleged homicide suspect fatally shot by police in San Francisco Bay Area
Georgia governor signs income tax cuts as property tax measure heads to November ballot
Bayern Munich kick a ball around a £3,500