12/08/07 (CO):
Prosecution Witheld Crucial Documents, Argue Defense
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At the murder trial of Tim Masters in 1999, prosecutors built a case largely based on the evidence of Reid Meloy, an FBI forensic profiler, who stated that the accused had fantasized about killing Peggy Hettrick.
In support of his theory, the profiler cited the accused's apparent rehearsal of the murder through his drawings, which included graphic depictions of amputations. However, Roy Hazelwood, a police detective and consultant had huge reservations about this theory, and wrote to Meloy telling him so before removing himself from the case due to his substantial reservations about the profiler's psychological theories.
At the subsequent trial, the prosecution's expert produced Masters' drawings and the resulting conviction was in the absence of any other physical evidence. What of Hazelwood's written concerns? They were effectively buried, say Masters' new defense team. They went on to successfully argue that the documents clearly undermined the prosecution's case and should have been disclosed at the time.
Now that the Hazelwood papers have been released by court order, it is clear that amongst his other concerns, Hazelwood commented that ambush-style sexual assaults were rarely premeditated in the way described by Meloy, and that "fantasy does not equal motive".
The hearing is due to resume on December 17.
© X-Pro 2007
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