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Arkansas Supreme Court Decision Allows New DNA Testing in Case of the ​“West Memphis Three,” Convicted of Killing Three Children in 1993

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On April 18, 2024, the Arkansas Supreme Court decided 4-3 to reverse a 2022 lower court decision and allow genetic testing of crime scene evidence from the 1993 killing of three eight-year-old boys in West Memphis. The three men convicted in 1994 for the killings were released in 2011 after taking an Alford plea, in which they maintained their innocence but plead guilty to the crime, in exchange for 18 years’ time served and 10 years of a suspended sentence. 

Alabama House approves execution drug secrecy bill

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Makers and suppliers of Alabama's execution drugs would be kept secret and not released to the public or the courts under a bill approved Thursday in the Alabama House of Representatives.

House members voted 77-19 for the bill being sought by the Alabama Department of Corrections. It now moves to the Alabama Senate.

Rep. Lynn Greer, R-Rogersville, said companies are becoming hesitant to supply the drugs because of the threat of lawsuits and backlash from death penalty opponents.

"We're having a terrible time getting the drug. The Department of Corrections can't get the drugs. It's just simple," Greer said.

Richard Dieter, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, said about seven states have adopted similar laws, which he said are being challenged in court.

Supporters of the Alabama bill said the state should protect people playing a role in court-ordered executions from the threat of lawsuits and retaliation. Opponents argued the details of the state-sanctioned taking of a life should not be kept secret.


Source: SF Gate, March 7, 2014
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