D.C. Vendor Robbery Conviction Overturned
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Prosecutors in Washington say they haven't decided whether to retry a District man whose conviction for the beating and robbery of an 83-year-old vendor has been overturned.
The D.C. Court of Appeals ruled 5-2 last week that detectives violated the rights of James Dorsey by handcuffing him to a chair for 13 hours during questioning. Dorsey's lawyers said he was repeatedly questioned after saying he didn't want to talk and asked for an attorney. Dorsey eventually gave a videotaped confession during the questioning that led to his conviction and a 14-year sentence for the attack on the elderly woman.
The U.S. attorney's office says it is reviewing the ruling. District Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier says the department does not condone the techniques used in Dorsey's initial interrogation.
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