Criminal Justice and Exonerations

Jimmie Duncan, who spent nearly 30 years on Louisiana’s death row after a conviction in a child's death, was released Wednesday on $150,000 bond after a judge vacated his conviction amid revelations of flawed forensic evidence — including autopsy video showing forensic dentist Michael West pressing a dental mold into the toddler’s skin and involvement of pathologist Steven Hayne. Fourth Judicial District Judge Alvin Sharp, who wrote “The presumption is not great that he is guilty,” allowed the release while the Louisiana Supreme Court reviews the vacatur over the objection of Attorney General Liz Murrill; Duncan plans to live with a relative in central Louisiana and the child’s mother testified she now believes her daughter accidentally drowned during a seizure.