Morning Sentinel
Science proves that Dechaine is not guilty
Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Monday, April 9, 2007

Attorney General Steven Rowe recently stated that pollution laws should be based on science, not politics. So why does he not apply the same standard to the Dennis Dechaine case?

Science proved early that the mixed blood found under the victim's nails was not Dechaine's type, and, later, that the DNA under her thumbnail was from a male who was not Dechaine. Science indicates that the murder took place after Dechaine was picked up by the police. Forensics found no evidence that the girl had ever been in Dechaine's truck, and an expert determined that tire tracks in the driveway were not Dechaine's. Likely vital scientific evidence -- hairs and the rape kit -- were incinerated by order of the then deputy attorney general shortly after an appeal had been filed.

Science tells us that Dechaine deserves a new trial; justice demands one. But political expediency trumps all. What a shameful story for Maine.

William Bunting

Whitefield


Reader comments

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1-7 of 7 comments:

Nelson Donnell of West Gardiner, ME
Apr 10, 2007 8:38 AM

If in fact there are potential witnesses who could provide testimony to clear or aid Dennis in this matter, I think it would be prudent to get certified video depositions of their testimony so as to preserve what they've witnessed. Time waits for no one.

Now, I doubt if Dennis was with the people (that Deborah mentions) just 'minutes' before Sarah's murder. You see, according to the time line evidence in the coroner's report, Dennis apparently had been in police custody being questioned as a person of interest (for several hours) at the time of Sarah's death.


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RickinVa of Alexandria, VA
Apr 9, 2007 11:13 AM
After seeing the program on Court TV last year dealing with this case, I expected that Maine officials would do the right thing rather than essentially say it didn't matter that the evidence pointed to his innocence. Trust me - that alone caused many people down here to look at Maine's procecutor's as a bunch of morons. report abuse
Jim Moore of Brunswick, ME
Apr 9, 2007 10:59 AM
Regarding Deborah Caldwell's comment, officials have been doing everything in their power to resist and delay any action on the Dechaine case. They'd be quite pleased if any witness who disproves their case would become unavailable.


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Deborah Caldwell of Farmingdale, ME
Apr 9, 2007 9:42 AM
Did you receive my comment? It disappeared. Can you publish it in the hardcopy of the KJ? Thanks.report abuse
Deborah Caldwell of Farmingdale, ME
Apr 9, 2007 9:41 AM
A shame for the State of Maine? What about a shame for Denis Duchaine? I do not even know the man, but my West Gardiner neighbors know him, and they testify that he was with them just minutes before the murder. They go into hysterics when the case is mentioned. The key witness to that fact is terribly ill right now. What if he dies? Then he cannot be witness. This is AWFUL to leave a whole man in jail like this for no good reason. This is AWFUL. Can these letters be sent to the printed media? How can we demand another trial? report abuse
Larry of Bath, ME
Apr 9, 2007 9:02 AM
I think it's time for a trial where the jury can see and hear everything in this case.
The white washed, hand picked 3 friend commision didn't work this time Steve. report abuse
Jim Moore of Brunswick, ME
Apr 9, 2007 7:37 AM
The huge difference between AG Rowe's office and Dechaine's supporters is: the theory of the crime advanced by prosecutors ignores/contradicts the scientific evidence, while the theory which is supported by Dechaine's supporters of how the crime occurred accounts for all of the evidence -- including the facts concealed by prosecutors.

Then, too, while I've offered a $1,000 reward to anyone who can specify any untrue statement in my book (Human Sacrifice -- a book for which I'm accepting no royalties) regarding evidence of the crime or official misconduct (a reward which no one has attepmted to collect), the officials in this case don't dare to offer a reward to anyone citing false statements they've made.

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