Virginia is considering doing DNA testing to see if it executed an innocent man in 1992.
The case and execution stems from a brutal rape and murder of the executed man's sister-in-law. Police arrested him and charged him with raping and murdering her. A court convicted him and sentenced him to death. The sentence was carried out on May 20th, 1992.
DNA has apparently been preserved in a freezer and death penalty opponents want the DNA to be tested to determine whether the man they executed was the right man. The state justice system is opposing this action as it could (would) undermine faith in Virginia's criminal justice system IF the DNA pointed to another man.
It appears from the mountain of evidence against him that Virginia did have the right man and so would be vindicated...to a degree. The death penalty is an example of fighting evil with evil and should be outlawed.
If it's scientifically proven that the death penalty was misapplied in this case, it will energize the movement to ban the death penalty and begin to sway some hearts that are, thus far, in favor of the ultimate sanction.
If Virgina did it's job in convicting this man, then it shouldn't be afraid of what the tests will show. Should it?
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