Bulletin: Eddie Lee Howard: Mississippi: (A Dr. Michael West bite-mark case): Appeal for man twice given the death penalty proceeds in Mississippi - as experts and a half-dozen attorneys from the Innocence Project began presenting evidence today they say should at least get 62-year-old Eddie Lee Howard a new trial if not an out-right dismissal. Defense attorneys claim the expert bite-mark testimony of Dr. Michael West that was central to the case has since been disproved and recanted by the doctor. Since 2000, 24 cases tied to West's testimony have proven to be fraudulent, including the Noxubee County cases of Kennedy Brewer and Levon Brooks. Both were finally exonerated by DNA evidence after serving a total of more than 30 years. "Most of today's hearing was spent with a British expert, Dr. Iain Pretty, who discredits much bite mark evidence. He said the "fundamental underlying science" in the Howard case was wrong and that "distortion" makes it difficult to make accurate bite mark comparisons, especially if the body has started to deteriorate. In the Howard case, Kemp's body was re-examined by West several days after burial at the request of former state pathologist Dr. Stephen Hayne whose work also has been discredited." Reporter Steve Rogers; WTVA.

Appeal under way for 24-year-old murder case

By Steve Rogers May. 4, 2016

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) -- A Lowndes County man who has claimed his innocence for 24 years is getting a chance this week to take a step toward proving it.
Experts and a half-dozen attorneys from the Innocence Project began presenting evidence today they say should at least get 62-year-old Eddie Lee Howard a new trial if not an out-right dismissal.
He has twice been given the death penalty -- the last time in 2000 -- after being convicted of capital murder in the Feb. 2 1992 rape and murder of 84-year-old Georgia Kemp inside her home on Southside Columbus. She was stabbed and her home set on fire although it only smoldered and never fully caught fire. The smoke attracted passers-by who notified firefighters who discovered the body.
Defense attorneys claim the expert bite-mark testimony of Dr. Michael West that was central to the case has since been disproved and recanted by the doctor. Since 2000, 24 cases tied to West's testimony have proven to be fraudulent, including the Noxubee County cases of Kennedy Brewer and Levon Brooks. Both were finally exonerated by DNA evidence after serving a total of more than 30 years. Someone else has since pleaded guilty to the crimes.
West was in the courtroom today, but it is unclear whether prosecutors will call him.
Howard's attorneys also say DNA testing ordered three years ago by the courts doesn’t match fluids found at the scene or on the murder weapon.
Most of today's hearing was spent with a British expert, Dr. Iain Pretty, who discredits much bite mark evidence. He said the "fundamental underlying science" in the Howard case was wrong and that "distortion" makes it difficult to make accurate bite mark comparisons, especially if the body has started to deteriorate.
In the Howard case, Kemp's body was re-examined by West several days after burial at the request of former state pathologist Dr. Stephen Hayne whose work also has been discredited.
Prosecutors tried to show Pretty was not familiar with all the evidence in this case or the steps used, especially photography. The hearing could last through Friday.
Lowndes County Circuit Court Judge Lee Howard could dismiss the charges against Howard completely or order a new trial. If a new trial is ordered, District Attorney Scott Colom may decide not to try it again because of a lack of evidence and witnesses.

- See more at: http://www.wtva.com/news/local/Appeal_under_way_for_24-year-old_murder_case.html#sthash.FzOkOBjh.dpuf A Lowndes County man who has claimed his innocence for 24 years is getting a chance this week to take a step toward proving it.

A Lowndes County man who has claimed his innocence for 24 years is getting a chance this week to take a step toward proving it. - See more at: http://www.wtva.com/news/local/Appeal_under_way_for_24-year-old_murder_case.html#sthash.H3NvNCik.dpuf

A Lowndes County man who has claimed his innocence for 24 years is getting a chance this week to take a step toward proving it. - See more at: http://www.wtva.com/news/local/Appeal_under_way_for_24-year-old_murder_case.html#sthash.H3NvNCik.dpuf

A Lowndes County man who has claimed his innocence for 24 years is getting a chance this week to take a step toward proving it. - See more at: http://www.wtva.com/news/local/Appeal_under_way_for_24-year-old_murder_case.html#sthash.ymfvQKNR.dpuf

 

"A Lowndes County man who has claimed his innocence for 24 years is getting a chance this week to take a step toward proving it. Experts and a half-dozen attorneys from the Innocence Project began presenting evidence today they say should at least get 62-year-old Eddie Lee Howard a new trial if not an out-right dismissal.  He has twice been given the death penalty -- the last time in 2000 -- after being convicted of capital mur"der in the Feb. 2 1992 rape and murder of 84-year-old Georgia Kemp .."inside her home on Southside Columbus. She was stabbed and her home set on fire although it only smoldered and never fully caught fire. The smoke attracted passers-by who notified firefighters who discovered the body. Defense attorneys claim the expert bite-mark testimony of Dr. Michael West that was central to the case has since been disproved and recanted by the doctor. Since 2000, 24 cases tied to West's testimony have proven to be fraudulent, including the Noxubee County cases of Kennedy Brewer and Levon Brooks. Both were finally exonerated by DNA evidence after serving a total of more than 30 years. Someone else has since pleaded guilty to the crimes. West was in the courtroom today, but it is unclear whether prosecutors will call him. Howard's attorneys also say DNA testing ordered three years ago by the courts doesn’t match fluids found at the scene or on the murder weapon.  Most of today's hearing was spent with a British expert, Dr. Iain Pretty, who discredits much bite mark evidence. He said the "fundamental underlying science" in the Howard case was wrong and that "distortion" makes it difficult to make accurate bite mark comparisons, especially if the body has started to deteriorate. In the Howard case, Kemp's body was re-examined by West several days after burial at the request of former state pathologist Dr. Stephen Hayne whose work also has been discredited. Prosecutors tried to show Pretty was not familiar with all the evidence in this case or the steps used, especially photography. The hearing could last through Friday."

http://www.wtva.com/news/local/Appeal_under_way_for_24-year-old_murder_case.html