May 23 2008
DNA Tests Indicate Possible Wrongful Death Row Conviction
According to the Dallas Morning News:
More DNA tests have failed to connect the man convicted of killing 7-year-old Ashley Estell to the 1993 crime. Michael Blair was not the source of forensic evidence found on the Plano girl’s shoes, court records show.
Tests were inconclusive on DNA material found on a stuffed rabbit toy and the shirt Ashley was wearing at the time of her death. One legal expert said the repeated negative results of DNA tests may strengthen Mr. Blair’s bid for an appeal.
Mr. Blair is waiting to hear from the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals on whether he’ll be granted a new trial and an opportunity to get off death row.
Previous forensic tests showed that Mr. Blair’s DNA did not match tissue samples found under Ashley’s fingernails and that hair found on Ashley did not come from Mr. Blair, according to court records.
Collin County prosecutors have said that they are sure Mr. Blair strangled Ashley and left her body in a Plano park.
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