Park's underling Ian Hood -- who was unlicensed in Pennsylvania and disciplined by the state board for pretending he was a licensed medical doctor -- took the stand instead. Hood, who testified there was no physical struggle despite the bruise on Christopher's chest, recanted his testimony in 2003.
Meanwhile, Common Pleas Judge John Milton Younge vacated Anthony's sentence in 2004 and ordered a new trial, citing as prejudicial the failure of Dr. Park to testify, Dr. Hood's erroneous testimony -- which was contradicted by the autopsy report that proves Fletcher's innocence -- and ineffective defense counsel. But the retrial never occurred, as Judge Younge pursued a Superior Court seat and the court failed to find a replacement judge. The D.A. appealed the decision, and four years later, the state Supreme Court ruled against Anthony Fletcher.
Allegations of missing and fabricated evidence, sketchy witnesses, prosecutorial misconduct, and crappy lawyering. Don't forget racial overtones. These are some of the essential ingredients of the death penalty. And this is what put Anthony Fletcher and others on death row in Philly and elsewhere around the country.
Meanwhile, Common Pleas Judge John Milton Younge vacated Anthony's sentence in 2004 and ordered a new trial, citing as prejudicial the failure of Dr. Park to testify, Dr. Hood's erroneous testimony -- which was contradicted by the autopsy report that proves Fletcher's innocence -- and ineffective defense counsel. But the retrial never occurred, as Judge Younge pursued a Superior Court seat and the court failed to find a replacement judge. The D.A. appealed the decision, and four years later, the state Supreme Court ruled against Anthony Fletcher.
Allegations of missing and fabricated evidence, sketchy witnesses, prosecutorial misconduct, and crappy lawyering. Don't forget racial overtones. These are some of the essential ingredients of the death penalty. And this is what put Anthony Fletcher and others on death row in Philly and elsewhere around the country.
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