At Marshall Hale's trial in 1987, although the 14 year-old rape victim positively and surely identified Marshall as the man who raped her, the physical evidence collected proved otherwise. Technicians from the Philadelphia Police Department testified that the blood type of semen in the rape kit could not be determined. However, 

 

Since that day, Marshall has fought for his freedom. Police and prosecutors believe that the evidence which could identify the true perpetrator through DNA testing no longer exists. But Marshall is not giving up. Today, the Pennsylvania Innocence Project asked Judge Genece Brinkley to hold a hearing to force police and evidence handlers to explain whether the evidence can be found and if not, why not.  

 

If the evidence truly has been discarded, Marshall will still fight, and ask the Court to dismiss the charges because the evidence of the blood typing so clearly shows he is innocent. Check our web site for updates on this and other cases we are litigating. 

Do you want to see how the Pennsylvania Innocence Project works? Do you have questions for the staff or student volunteers about the cases we take, or how we litigate for the convicted innocent? Then join us for an Open House, held quarterly at our offices. 

The Open Houses let our supporters see how the Project operates, and ask questions you may have. We will also have the chance for our supporters to help our efforts to change the criminal justice system by writing targeted letters to legislators, public figures, newspapers, and other media outlets. 

So come see our offices, talk to the staff, and help bring change to Pennsylvania! Our Open Houses will start in January, 2013. Watch the web site for the exact date and time.