LAS VEGAS — A woman who claims she was wrongly convicted of the murder and sexual mutilation of a homeless man spent a disappointing morning in court. Judge Valorie Vega denied Kirstin “Blaise” Lobato’s request to test and re-test physical evidence that she believes may help to prove her innocence.
Jurors convicted Lobato twice for the murder and sexual mutilation of Duran Bailey, first in 2002 and again in 2006, despite a lack of physical evidence tying her to the crime scene. Yet as Lobato fights to have her conviction overturned, she believes that same physical evidence may help her to find the “real killers.” She has even convinced the Innocence Project in New York to do the testing.
Thursday she learned those tests are not going to happen, at least not now.
After nearly 10 years of experience with the legal system, Lobato comes to court without expectations. Though the issues before the court this day are largely procedural, one motion offers Lobato a glimmer of fresh hope: a request to allow the Innocence Project, run by famed defense attorney Barry Scheck, to test and re-test 13 pieces of physical evidence related to the crime.
In a letter to the court, Scheck argues modern DNA testing techniques not previously available could identify the real killer.
via I-Team: Motions Denied for Woman Who Claims Wrongful Conviction.
RichardWanke.Com 