Bulletin: Carla Hughes: Mississippi: Discredited forensic pathologist Dr. Steven Hayne; Supporters are rallying behind this ex-teacher convicted of capital murder in the 2006 death of Avis Banks and her unborn child in a highly publicized case. through establishment of a 'GoGetFunding" account; The supporters site the role played in the case by forensic pathologist Dr. Steven Hayne who has fallen into disfavour in recent years. "Hayne, who lacks national board certification in forensic pathology, for many years performed most of the autopsies in the state. He drew criticism for conducting about 1,500 autopsies a year, and in 2008 the state dropped him from its list of recommended pathologists. The Mississippi Supreme Court has overturned convictions or ordered a new trial in some cases in which he testified." The Clarion Ledger;

"A GoGetFunding  account has been established for Carla Hughes, Hughes was sentenced in 2009 in Madison County Circuit Court to life in prison without parole on two counts of capital murder in the Nov. 29, 2006, slaying of Avis Banks, who was pregnant. The case generated national publicity and has been featured on national true crime shows, including "Snapped" and "Fatal Attraction." The trial was also covered by the former CourtTV. Prosecutors say Hughes, now 34, killed Banks so she could have Banks' fiance, Keyon Pittman. Hughes and Pittman were romantically involved while both were teachers at Chastain Middle School in Jackson. Banks was killed in the garage of the Ridgeland home she shared with Pittman after coming home from work. Pittman wasn't charged in the case. The  account has raised $360, so far. It was established by Hughes' mother, Lynda Hughes, who says on the site her daughter was framed, tried and convicted of capital murder. "Carla is also a victim of Dr. Steven Hayne's testimony," the site says. Also, it says Hayne was the subject of The Innocence Project's formal records request "to determine how much Hayne used state labs for autopsy misconduct." Hayne, a forensic pathologist, testified for the prosecution in Hughes' case. Hayne testified Banks was shot four times, including once in her head, and stabbed at least three times, but Hayne said he believes Banks already was dead when she was stabbed. Hayne also testified in the penalty phase of the case to decide if Hughes would get a death sentence or life in prison without parole. During the penalty phase, Hayne testified Banks would have been conscious during at least two gunshot wounds for 15 to 20 minutes, except for the last one when she was shot in the back of the head. He testified she probably was shot in the thigh first, then the left buttocks, the chest and then in the head. He testified she was shot twice when she was already down. Hayne, who lacks national board certification in forensic pathology, for many years performed most of the autopsies in the state. He drew criticism for conducting about 1,500 autopsies a year, and in 2008 the state dropped him from its list of recommended pathologists. The Mississippi Supreme Court has overturned convictions or ordered a new trial in some cases in which he testified."

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/04/27/gofund-account-convicted-ex-teacher-carla-hughes/83589426/