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Chuck Shepherd's News of the Weird (.958)
WEEK OF JUNE 18, 2006
In May, independent arson experts reported that the 2004 Texas execution of Tyrone Willingham was based on evidence that has now been scientifically disproved (and which had probably been repudiated earlier in 2004, when another Texas arson convict had had his death sentence overturned). According to a Chicago Tribune story, the fire marshals whose testimony cinched Willingham's sentence relied on out-of-date, discredited tests, leaving no reliable evidence for the jury that the fire that killed Willingham's three kids was deliberately set. According to the report (commissioned by the Innocence Project), no formal training (only training "on the job") is required of Texas fire marshals. [Chicago Tribune, 5-2-06]
Fire marshals only requite OJT? OMG! WTF is up with that?! Sounds like a purely political appointment, which makes me wonder if they're appointed or elected?
WEEK OF JUNE 18, 2006
In May, independent arson experts reported that the 2004 Texas execution of Tyrone Willingham was based on evidence that has now been scientifically disproved (and which had probably been repudiated earlier in 2004, when another Texas arson convict had had his death sentence overturned). According to a Chicago Tribune story, the fire marshals whose testimony cinched Willingham's sentence relied on out-of-date, discredited tests, leaving no reliable evidence for the jury that the fire that killed Willingham's three kids was deliberately set. According to the report (commissioned by the Innocence Project), no formal training (only training "on the job") is required of Texas fire marshals. [Chicago Tribune, 5-2-06]
Fire marshals only requite OJT? OMG! WTF is up with that?! Sounds like a purely political appointment, which makes me wonder if they're appointed or elected?
