Word: coleman
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...Coleman was arrested on the police theory that Wanda opened the door to the intruder. Police subsequently discovered a pry mark on the door molding, just 3 in. up from the floor, and a fingerprint. Plainly, if tests had identified the fingerprint as belonging to Coleman, the jury would have heard...
...jailhouse snitch's version of Coleman's "confession" put another man on the murder scene. Other evidence -- including inconclusive traces of sodomy ) -- supports the possibility that two men were involved. Under Virginia's "triggerman" statute, a defendant can be executed only if he is the one who actually killed the victim. Even if Coleman was one of the two culprits, there is a question whether he was the murderer...
...Frank Hinkle, the police deputy who had been assigned to trail Coleman right after the murder, swore two months ago in an affidavit, "I believe that the principal reason for Mr. Coleman's arrest and trial was to reassure the community that a perpetrator had been found." Hinkle was never summoned as a defense witness...
...Coleman may yet be spared. After all, he has McCloskey, one of the nation's most prominent investigators, in his corner. He has a determined, active team of lawyers who have the experience and funds to pursue every possible lead. His clemency petition will be heard by a Governor who is not up for re- election and can therefore be guided by moral considerations without having to worry about political consequences...
...clock ticks, the biggest consideration may be this: With so many questions still outstanding, what's the big rush to end Coleman's life? Yes, 10 years is a long time for a prisoner to sit on death row. But additional time is not too much to ask if there is a reasonable doubt that he is guilty. Coleman's uncle says, "I'm for capital punishment, but I believe you ought to have the right person involved." It seems a reasonable standard...