Wrongful conviction has been an emerging and tremendous dilemma in our society since the discovery of DNA analysis. This is a very recent study that has presented another form of evidence that can prove an individual's innocence in ways never before. Forensic scientist collect DNA evidence and run tests to see if there is a match to DNA samples collected at the crime scenes. However, the justice system has not taken this new science into consideration because many influential individuals, such as judges, prosecutor, jurors, and attorneys, do not understand this new science. This leaves the burden to forensic scientist to explain DNA testing to representatives of the court system. Furthermore, the decision to get DNA tested when an individual …show more content…
On May 4th, 1979, a young housewife was raped and suffered a massive amount of blood from a seven-inch stab wounds around throat. Mrs. Patterson tried to get help from her neighbor who lived 200 feet from them. Her two sons went to seek help from their neighbor’s. Unfortunately, Mrs. Patterson died at the crime scene from the four stab wounds.The only witness to the case was Mrs.Patterson’s four-year-old son Luke. When investigators came to the crime scene they collected evidence such as, African American hair, footprints, car trails, and …show more content…
The reason he was living their was because he was convicted earlier that year in March for burglary. As a part of his sentencing he had to live in the center. Ruffin was given a twelve-hour pass where he can leave the center but had to come back. However, he did not return and authorities found him hiding at his girlfriend's house days later. As a result, Ruffin violated probation and because he was hiding at his girlfriend's house it raised suspicion. Considering the fact the Patterson’s house was not too far from Restitution Center, authorities used Ruffin as the leading