Arizona Justice Project Offers Help of DNA Testing

DNA analysis has been recognized not only as a tool to convict the guilty, but also as a method to help exonerate the innocent. Since 1989, DNA testing performed years after conviction has led to approximately 250 exonerations (some cases still pending court decisions).

Arizona is home to 2 of these 250 exonerated men.

Larry Youngblood was convicted in 1985 of sexual assault. Youngblood’s exoneration in 2000 was based on crime scene evidence that had never been tested for DNA. The DNA test results did not match Youngblood, but instead matched another man, who turned out to be the true perpetrator of the crime.

Ray Krone was convicted in 1992 of first degree murder. Krone’s exoneration in 2002 was also based on crime scene evidence which had never been tested for DNA. The DNA test results proved not to be a match to Krone, but instead proved to match another man who was already incarcerated for an unrelated crime.

The Justice Project believes more innocent people are sitting in Arizona prisons.

The Justice Project’s mission is to identify and assist indigent Arizona inmates with claims of actual innocence. Over the past ten years, the Justice Project has reviewed over 2,000 claims of injustice from Arizona inmates.

Recently, the Justice Project received funding from the National Institute for Justice to review claims of wrongful conviction and pay for DNA testing for cases where DNA evidence can prove innocence.

What is DNA? DNA is the structural basis for every living organism, including human beings. DNA exists in every human cell, which can be found in our skin, blood, hair, saliva, semen, fingernail, and even on objects that have been touched by our bodies. The sheets you sleep in or the fork you eat with would likely have traces of your DNA.

How Can DNA Help Solve Crimes? Because everyone’s DNA is different, DNA evidence can help link the evidence from a crime to the true perpetrator of that crime. DNA evidence has proven to be more reliable than almost all other evidence. The advances of DNA testing allow evidence from a crime committed years ago to be tested today.

Does My Case Qualify for Help Under the DNA Testing Program? The Justice Project is only looking at cases where the crime(s) of conviction was forcible rape, murder, or non-negligent homicide.*

What If DNA Testing Was Already Done In My Case? If the evidence from your case was tested for DNA and the results either did not match you or were “inconclusive”, you may still apply for help. Advancements in DNA testing allows lab technicians to get results on samples and evidence that was previously regarded as too small a sample, too contaminated, or just impossible.

To apply for assistance, contact the Justice Project for a DNA Grant Questionnaire, which must be completed and returned to the Justice Project before we can review your case.

You may also have a family member or friend contact the Justice Project on your behalf. However, the questionnaire and authorization for review must be signed by you.

Contact us at:
Arizona Justice Project
Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Arizona State University
P.O. Box 877906
Tempe, AZ 85287-7906
Tel: (480) 727-0009

* If your crime of conviction is not forcible rape, murder, or non-negligence homicide, but you still need assistance in proving your innocence, you may still contact the Justice Project for help. (See address above).