| FREE DUSTY |
A Note from Dusty's MotherI am truly devastated and extremely upset, however not entirely surprised, by the court's decision. The Appellate Judges were so critical during the hearing that they never allowed David Hargett (Dustin's attorney) to present any argument or even give him time to respond to their comments. I don't think that the Appellate Judges were looking for a way to be just. I think that they were being extremely cautious about overturning the conviction. They know that they are breaking new ground, and the fact that Dusty's case is the first to go this far, so they are scrutinizing and analyzing every detail. They made up their own scenario, using Judge Cleo Powell's theory and allowed an imaginary motive of rape to be the deciding factor. The courts are supposed to prevent injustice, but in this case - it is the worst case of injustice in Virginia. I still have faith, and hope that when we file this to Supreme Court of VA that those judges will do what the court system is designed to do- that is to prevent such grave injustices ever happening again and to release an innocent man. Now we have no choice but to continue to fight for my son innocence as I continue to be on this emotional roller coaster. Court reverses ruling on freedom for ex-SEAL trainee The Virginian-Pilot NORFOLK The full Virginia Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that Dustin Turner, a former Navy SEAL trainee, should stay in prison for the 1995 murder of a Georgia college student at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The ruling overturns a split decision by a three-judge panel of the same court last year, which said Turner should be freed on the basis of a confession by Turner's co-defendant, Billy Joe Brown, that he alone was responsible for the slaying. Turner's lawyer, David Hargett, said he will appeal Tuesday's decision to the state Supreme Court. "I'm confident the Supreme Court will see this case differently," he said. Last year's ruling by the three-judge panel was the first time a murder conviction had been overturned under a 2004 Virginia law allowing consideration of new non biological evidence of innocence after sentencing. Click here to read the full article >>> Click here to read the court's decision
|
Here is the information on the Attorney General of VA, if you would like to call or write to him with your thoughts on the state filing this appeal: |
|
LATEST NEWSVirginia appeals court rejects Dustin Turner's claim of innocence Court reverses ruling on freedom for ex-SEAL trainee Beefier 'actual innocence' law urged Appeals court hears arguments in former SEAL's case Va. Court of Appeals reviews Dustin Turner case VIDEO Ex-SEAL trainee to reargue case before full Va. Court of Appeals FACES of 2009: Dustin TurnerVirginia Attorney General to appeal clearing of former SEAL traineeSee the full document of the court's opinion concerning the writ of actual innocence (Courtesy WVEC-TV) With conviction overturned, Dustin Turner remains locked up VIDEO Former Navy Seal Trainee Exonerated in 1995 Va. Beach SlayingAppeals court overturns Dusty Turner's murder conviction VIDEO Ex-Navy SEAL trainee has murder conviction overturnedVa. Court of Appeals overturns ex-SEAL trainee's murder convictionCourt overturns ex-SEAL trainee's conviction in 1995 murder |
Click picture above to see more of Dusty's artwork In September 1996, in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court, Dustin Turner (age 21) was convicted of the murder of Jennifer Evans. Dusty was sentenced to 82 years in prison without the possibility of parole. The person who actually committed the crime had been previously convicted of Jennifer's murder in the Virginia justice system. That person was Billy Joe Brown. Dusty and Billy Joe had been swim buddies during their SEAL training with the US Navy. Both men were in the last phase of training at the Fort A.P. Hill SEAL training center in Bolling Green, VA. |
Visit again soon to see and hear about our latest efforts to win Dusty's release. Revised on July 6, 2010 |