Troy Davis: Questionable Ballistics And State Testimony

Analysis 'wrong at worst'

In a report written for Davis' defense team in 2003 and submitted to the state parole board, retired GBI ballistics expert Kelly Fite concluded that Parian's analysis was "shoddy and questionable at best and patently wrong at worst." Fite concluded his analysis by stating, "As it appears now, the [ballistics] testing already conducted in this case is wholly lacking in reliability."

Fite also notes in his affidavit that Coleman was shot shortly after Cooper at approximately the same time as MacPhail. Fite writes that Parian and the prosecution "conveniently discarded" the timing of events that would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the same weapon to have been used in both crimes. more

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On Friday, the state Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, agreed to consider Davis' case. He is appealing a ruling in July by a Chatham County judge who denied his extraordinary motion for a new trial. The state Supreme Court will hear arguments on the appeal sometime this fall. more