Important Court of Appeals Ruling Yesterday May Inform Other Arson Appeals

The Indiana Court of Appeals vacation of the arson conviction of Kristine Bunch, who spent 16 years in prison after a mobile home fire killed her young son, will likely be raised in other arson convictions.  More on this case here  and here. The court cited advances in fire science that discredit forensic testimony used in this and many arson cases. Bunch is now presumed innocent. Prosecutors must decide if they will re-try her. The Indiana Attorney General’s office disagrees with the ruling and has 30 days to ask the Court of Appeals to rehear the case or appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court. The Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern Law and former federal prosecutor Ron Safer and his colleagues at Schiff Hardin, who worked pro bono, championed this case.

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