JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KTVI - FOX2now.com) -
There are new developments in the death penalty conviction of St. Louisan, Reggie Clemmons. Clemons is one of three men convicted in the deaths of two sisters. Robin and Julie Kerry died after a fatal fall from the Chain of Rocks Bridge in 1991. On Monday, Missouri Attorney General's office is asking that a judge handling a review of this case, consider some evidence discovered in cold storage at the police department's crime lab.
The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking the case and these new developments closely.
Redditt Hudson with the ACLU says, "It is evidence that is central to Reggie's sentencing and should have been produced these man y years ago. Now importantly it is evidence for everyone that this was a horribly flawed process."
The Attorney General's office has sent a letter to the courts stating: The state has discovered three laboratory reports and certain physical evidence, including what is commonly referred to as a rape kit.
The rape charge is a factor in Clemons sentencing
"Those charges were dropped but they were used in the prosecution of Reggie as an accomplice under Missouri law to make him eligible for capital punishment. And the charges of rape were used to enhance his sentence and ask for the death penalty which he received."
No one seems to know why the evidence failed to make it to trial. The Attorney General's office confirmed the evidence had not been previously disclosed as part of the states case against Mr. Clemons.
"If Judge Manners takes an objective look at the record of this case and the evidence that wasn't presented at trial I'm very confident at a minimum that verdict could be overturned," says Hudson.
The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking the case and these new developments closely.
Redditt Hudson with the ACLU says, "It is evidence that is central to Reggie's sentencing and should have been produced these man y years ago. Now importantly it is evidence for everyone that this was a horribly flawed process."
The Attorney General's office has sent a letter to the courts stating: The state has discovered three laboratory reports and certain physical evidence, including what is commonly referred to as a rape kit.
The rape charge is a factor in Clemons sentencing
"Those charges were dropped but they were used in the prosecution of Reggie as an accomplice under Missouri law to make him eligible for capital punishment. And the charges of rape were used to enhance his sentence and ask for the death penalty which he received."
No one seems to know why the evidence failed to make it to trial. The Attorney General's office confirmed the evidence had not been previously disclosed as part of the states case against Mr. Clemons.
"If Judge Manners takes an objective look at the record of this case and the evidence that wasn't presented at trial I'm very confident at a minimum that verdict could be overturned," says Hudson.
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