Category Archives: forensics

DNA Tests: Errors Can Occur

In recent years we have come to think of DNA testing as a ‘gold standard’ that can convict or exonerate. But forensics experts urge caution. William Thompson declares:  “DNA tests are not now and have never been infallible.  Errors in … Continue reading

Posted in DNA testing, forensics, Mississippi, USA, Willie Jerome Manning, Willie Manning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

FBI Hair Analysis: Favoring the Prosecution

‘Flawed Forensics’, episode 3 of the Al Jazeera America series, ‘The System’, is about what is termed ‘an FBI scandal of manipulated forensic evidence that may have led to thousands of wrongful convictions over the past three decades’. We hear from … Continue reading

Posted in Al Jazeera, American justice, capital punishment, criminal justice USA, death penalty, Death Row, FBI hair review, Fly Manning, forensic hair testimony, forensics, hair testimony, Injustice, junk science, Mississippi, prosecutorial misconduct, USA injustice, Willie Fly Manning, Willie Jerome Manning, Willie Manning, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Willie’s Voice: “This System is Broken.”

The long awaited Al Jazeera America program (Flawed Forensics, episode 3 of  the series, The System), featuring Willie Manning, was broadcast in the USA on Sunday 1 June. The overall focus is the uncovering of systemic flaws in the FBI’s … Continue reading

Posted in African American, Al Jazeera, capital punishment, criminal justice USA, death penalty, DNA testing, execution, FBI hair review, fingerprint comparison, flawed testimony, Fly Manning, forensic hair testimony, forensics, hair testimony, Injustice, junk science, Mississippi, Mississippi judicial system, Mississippi Supreme Court, USA injustice, Willie Fly Manning, Willie Jerome Manning, Willie Manning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Further Developments in Both Cases

Willie Jerome Manning has won the right to searches for evidence relating to his 1992 case involving two students. On March 6, 2014 the Oktibbeha County Circuit Court sent out seven orders, requiring ‘diligent’ searches to be made for all evidence related … Continue reading

Posted in African American, Brookville Garden murders, criminal justice USA, death penalty, Death Row, DNA testing, fingerprint comparison, Fly Manning, forensics, Injustice, Jon Steckler and Tiffany Miller, Mississippi, murders, Oktibbeha County Circuit Court, police usa, post-conviction DNA evidence, racism, USA injustice, Willie Fly Manning, Willie Jerome Manning, Willie Manning, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Can of Worms in Mississippi

Radley Balko, writing last month in the Washington Post, describes how the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently turned down a request for post-conviction relief by a man convicted of murder in Mississippi. Tavares Flaggs was convicted largely … Continue reading

Posted in autopsies, capital punishment, coroners, criminal justice USA, death penalty, death penalty injustice, federal courts, flawed testimony, Fly Manning, forensics, Injustice, Jim Hood Attorney General, judges, junk science, Mississippi, Mississippi judicial system, prosecutors, Steven Hayne, USA injustice, Willie Fly Manning, Willie Jerome Manning, Willie Manning, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Final List of Evidence

Willie Manning’s lawyers have 30 days from 31 January 2014 to reach agreement with the prosecution about exactly which items should be tested for DNA and fingerprints. The items in question relate to Willie’s 1992 case involving two students, Jon Steckler … Continue reading

Posted in African American, capital murder, death penalty, DNA testing, execution, FBI hair review, fingerprint testing, flawed testimony, Fly Manning, forensics, Injustice, Jon Steckler and Tiffany Miller, Mississippi, Oktibbeha County, post-conviction DNA evidence, racial discrimination, Starkville, USA injustice, Willie Fly Manning, Willie Jerome Manning, Willie Manning, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Good Start to 2014!

Willie Manning’s request for DNA testing and fingerprint analysis was heard on Friday, January 31 2014 at the Oktibbeha County Circuit Court. Willie’s request relates to his 1992 case involving the murders of two students, Jon Steckler and Tiffany Miller. … Continue reading

Posted in African American, capital murder, capital punishment, death penalty, death penalty injustice, Death Row, DNA testing, execution, FBI hair review, fingerprints, Fly Manning, forensic hair testimony, forensics, Jon Steckler and Tiffany Miller, junk science, Mississippi, murders, Oktibbeha County, Oktibbeha County Circuit Court, post-conviction DNA evidence, racial prejudice, stacked jury, Tiffany Miller and Jon Steckler, USA, Willie Fly Manning, Willie Jerome Manning, Willie Manning, witness testimony, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Oktibbeha Court Hearing: Time Set

Willie’s request for DNA testing and fingerprint analysis is due to be heard at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2014, at the Oktibbeha County Circuit Court in Starkville, Mississippi. His request relates to his 1992 case of two students, … Continue reading

Posted in African American, American justice, capital punishment, conviction, criminal justice USA, death penalty, Death Row, DNA testing, execution, fingerprint comparison, fingerprints, Fly Manning, forensics, Jon Steckler and Tiffany Miller, junk science, law enforcement USA, Mississippi, Oktibbeha County, Oktibbeha County Circuit Court, post-conviction DNA evidence, racism, Starkville, Tiffany Miller and Jon Steckler, USA, Willie Fly Manning, Willie Jerome Manning, Willie Manning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment