Brutal Crime

" Not a man and prosecutors say raped a pop up popular news anchor in Little Rock, Arkansas. And in violently beat her into -- A few days later the 26 year old was dead and today the trial for accused killer got under way. If convicted this man Curtis Vance could face death. But his attorneys now claim police coerced advance into confession. They also say cops tricked him into providing DNA evidence which we're told -- to the crime scene. What will those arguments stand up in court -- now fox these legal analyst Arthur -- dollar. Contributor here and our criminal defense attorney -- Finland both with -- by -- and and -- I guess we'll start with you what what do you make of these claims that. That this this confession was coerced."

" Well. That's that's an issue that -- is gonna take up being taken up with the judge obviously got past that and now I have to go to a jury with that -- I'll tell you as a defense attorney it concerns me. And I'm -- we'll talk on this this is the death penalty case the first part is guilt or innocence but as a defense attorney. You have to be very aware of the inevitability of your client being found possibly guilty and then your biggest jobs and try to keep him. Alive here to -- to be really careful not to say he didn't do he didn't do -- he didn't do it. And it is found guilty thing -- north that he didn't do it but that it now that he did I wanted to keep him alive. I think the defense attorneys when all's said and done it's gonna focus their efforts throughout this trial. A whatever they need to do keep him alive when the trial's over Arthur."

" I think Jim would drew his -- is the guy is guilty and is going to be found guilty by a jury so the issue is really the punishment portion of it. You have his DNA -- not only in this case but now matched another case another case that -- couple hundred miles away I believe. Of another woman who was raped and she didn't see who are tackle was preserving them from behind. And now the DNA that was discovered that crime scene matches his DNA is -- really even though he's on trial for one case -- two trials to cases have been solved by the DNA. It's of accommodation the confession the combination of the DNA and the brutality. Of the attack on such a popular figure. It guarantees almost a conviction dangerous correct it's gonna be about try to keep them alive and give them like him in jail without parole. "

" Yet. DNA is always challenged it it's always seemed to me is what used to cover trials. That sometimes the idea behind that it's just try to confuse a juror."

" Well let me tell AA this trial comes high profile trial this comes at a convenient time. In LA 888. Group that would. Funded by the Justice Department had just made huge findings. Condemning for that forensic science practice throughout the United States and especially in the field of DNA testing. And I would imagine that these lawyers are going to be well equipped in front of this jury to say -- This DNA may not be accurate and if you combine that. With what we think is a faulty confession because we clearly know people have been -- in for time in the moral crimes hitting -- There's enough reasonable doubt. You either acquit or we call it residual doubt this time of sentencing that is you find him guilty -- a little bit unsure. Given some of these issues that you come back to life sentences that a death."

" Enough in. First he confessed and then they found DNA that message you're saying there's enough inconsistency when -- Jeff Jeff you're right what they try to do -- the defense bar tries to do with the DNA seven because it's complicated and it's very hard. To streamline to a jury remember the OJ criminal try to correct it forget it correct they try to. Confuse the jurors in and they throw so much science at the that they say they can't understand it. But an articulate focus prosecutor will be able to stand up and summation and narrow down pinpoint focus it. And get the convention yet it seems like. Just water safe allocated to defense bar since this was the United States Justice Department that had a committee that condemn forensic science and a lot of the DNA lab so. It's coming right from the prosecution. That these are problems that are sweeping across the you know you'll hear about -- under a lot of clients attorneys in the weeks and months ahead no doubt Arthur drew always good to see you both thank you thank."