Thomas Vanes prosecuted a dozen capital cases in the 13 years he spent working for Lake County, in northwest Indiana. He sent nine men to death row, including Darnell Williams, who is scheduled to be executed on Aug. 1.
Mr. Vanes now says the Williams execution should not go forward until DNA testing is done on blood evidence that played a crucial role in the case. A federal judge in Indianapolis heard arguments yesterday in a lawsuit seeking the testing; the suit was filed by Mr. Vanes, Mr. Williams and a member of the jury that sentenced him to death.
The New York Times has this interesting story here. Although I wish Mr. Williams luck, I predict he won't have it.