ROCKLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine man convicted of killing a 12-year-old girl more than three decades ago launched his latest bid on Thursday for a new trial by trying to convince a judge that advances in DNA testing raise questions about his guilt.
The attorney for Dennis Dechaine called his first witness at the start of a two-day hearing in Knox County Superior Court. Dechaine is trying to make the case that tests conducted by a California laboratory excluded his DNA from several items found at the crime scene, requiring a new trial in which jurors could weigh all the evidence.
Prosecutors have contended plenty of other evidence links Dechaine to the crime and that his DNA could not be excluded from several other items.
Dechaine, 66, is serving a life sentence for the murder and sexual assault of Sarah Cherry, who disappeared while babysitting in Bowdoin in July 1988. Her body was found two days later.
Candice Swanepoel stuns in a form
AU officials laud China's support to promote health in Africa
China pledges constructive role in resolving Myanmar's Rakhine State crisis
Justin Timberlake set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia in 2025
Hayao Miyazaki's animated fantasy stays atop Chinese box office
PLA garrison in Hong Kong organizes joint patrol
Tokyo raises alarm as deadly bacterial infection cases surge: media
Shooting injures 2 at Missouri high school graduation ceremony
Late Queen 'loved it when things went wrong because it spiced up her life', former aide claims
College baseball notebook: Conference tournaments to decide NCAA automatic bids and many at
Russia says int'l cooperation necessary in fighting terrorism