The Boulder County District Attorney has requested new DNA testing in the murder case of Michael Clark, who was convicted in 2012 largely based on analysis by disgraced forensic scientist Yvonne Woods. The new testing is expected to be completed by early January 2025, with both the prosecution and defense hoping it will provide a better understanding of how the case will proceed. Clark, who has professed his innocence for 30 years, is serving life without parole for the 1994 murder of Marty Grisham in Boulder.
The case has gained attention due to revelations that Woods intentionally deleted data, tampered with testing, and misreported findings in numerous cases, leading to potential overturned convictions. Clark’s defense attorney, Adam Frank, has argued that Woods’ analysis was oversimplified and incomplete, and that juror misconduct also occurred during the trial. A recent Denver Gazette report highlighted the intersection of Clark’s case with the CBI scandal.
A court hearing has been scheduled for early January, focusing on the new DNA testing and potential issues with Woods’ previous analysis. Frank, who has been advocating for Clark since 2019, believes his client’s conviction could be the first to be overturned due to Woods’ deceptions. The Colorado Court of Appeals overturned a previous denial of an evidentiary hearing, allowing for further investigation into the case. Clark’s children have continued to support him during his incarceration, awaiting the outcome of the new testing and the possibility of overturning his conviction.
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