June 25, 2006
Zena Crenshaw wrote:
The facts and fallout of the Patrick Swiney case are an unfortunate aberration in the Alabama criminal justice system
and a failure of both the federal and state courts to correct it. The conviction was largely the result of destruction of
evidence potentially favoring the defendant, failure to disclose scientific evidence favorable to him, prosecutorial
misstatement of facts at trial, and generally sloppy forensic work. Years after conviction, the state had no desire to
consider new scientific tests that could prove Patrick Swiney innocent.
The State of Alabama seemingly wants to avoid a major embarrassment rather than secure a fair outcome. If the courts,
state and federal, do not share that concern, thus far they appear to favor finality of conviction over fundamental
fairness and due process of law.
Zena D. Crenshaw
American Whistleblowers' League
www.government-insiders-forum.org