Networked Knowledge - Media Report

[This edited version of the report has been prepared by Dr Robert N Moles]

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On 23 June 2007 the Associated Press in Atlanta reported “Report on DNA test results in Williams case sent to prosecutor”

A report on results of DNA tests on animal hair found on some of the victims in the notorious Atlanta child killings case was sent to District Attorney Paul Howard on Friday. The report was sent via e-mail to Howard, according to Elizabeth Wictum, director of the forensics program at the veterinary lab at the University of California, Davis, which conducted the tests on the animal hair. The results were not made public, though Howard scheduled a news conference for Tuesday to make an unspecified announcement about the case, presumably to discuss the results.

In February, a Superior Court judge ordered the testing at the request of lawyers for Wayne Williams, who was convicted of killing two people and blamed for 22 other murders in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The judge ordered that animal hairs found on some of the victims be compared to samples of hairs from Williams' dog. Also, human hairs admitted into evidence were to be compared to samples of Williams' DNA, and a car seat admitted into evidence along with the clothing from two of the victims was to be analyzed.

Williams also was ordered to provide swabs of saliva and/or blood for DNA samples to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for testing. The UC lab conducted the animal hair testing, while the FBI was involved in the testing of the other evidence, officials involved in the case said. The GBI coordinated the testing.

Williams' attorney, Jack Martin, did not return repeated phone calls Friday seeking comment. On Thursday, he said he had been informed verbally about the results, but was awaiting a copy of the report before commenting.

Between 1979 and 1981, 29 blacks, mostly boys, were killed in the Atlanta area, sparking fear throughout the region. Williams was convicted of murdering Jimmy Ray Payne, 21, and Nathaniel Cater, 27, and sentenced to two consecutive life terms. Evidence of a pattern of conduct in 12 of the murders was used in his trial. Afterward, officials declared Williams responsible for 22 other deaths, and those cases were closed. Williams has always maintained his innocence, but has lost numerous court battles. Williams' lawyers say the DNA tests they were seeking were not available when Williams went to trial in 1982. Williams, who is black, has contended that he was framed.

Source: 23 June 2007 The Associated Press Atlanta “Report on DNA test results in Williams case sent to prosecutor”

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