D.C. Judge Upholds Convictions In 1980s Gang Murder
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A judge has refused to overturn the convictions of seven men convicted of a 1984 murder in the District of Columbia.
Lawyers for the men argued in court this year that there was new information pointing to their clients' innocence in the death of Catherine Fuller. They said evidence showed she was murdered by one or two people instead of the mass beating described at trial. They also said prosecutors withheld evidence that could have been favorable.
But prosecutors said they were confident in the original verdict, and Superior Court Judge Frederick Weisberg said in an opinion released Monday that the men failed to present DNA or scientific evidence that could exonerate them.
A spokesman for prosecutors and a lawyer who argued the appeal didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
