DEMONSTRATE AT MIKE SCOTT’S HEARING ON TUESDAY, August 5, 12:30 PM; Gather in Travis County Courthouse Plaza, 11th St. just west of Guadalupe
In 1991 four Austin girls were killed in an local yogurt shop. After an eight year investigation plagued with leaks, false confessions, and insufficient evidence, four young men were arrested for the murders. One was never indicted and was released within months. Another was released for lack of evidence prior to his scheduled trial, although authorities still contend that he was the “ringleader” in the crime.
Despite a complete lack of physical evidence, Robert Springsteen was convicted and sentenced to death and Michael Scott was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The centerpieces of the prosecution’s cases were “confessions” obtained by Austin police, although Springsteen and Scott have both recanted citing coercive tactics by APD. (“To be clear, Springsteen and Scott were not the only two to confess; police collected at least 50 confessions – some far more compelling in detail than those of the defendants.”–Austin Chronicle)
Both convictions were overturned in 2007 due to violations of Michael and Robert’s constitutional right to confront the witnesses against them. In each trial, prosecutors introduced portions of the other’s “confessions” without giving one chance to cross-examine the other.
Since then, new DNA testing on evidence at the scene of the murders has completely exonerated Michael and Robert. Furthermore, DNA from an unknown source was found on one of the victims.
Even though the cases are falling apart more and more every day, Travis County prosecutors insist on re-trying Michael and Robert, with trial dates scheduled for this Fall. They remain in prison, awaiting trial, as they have been for nearly a decade. This is a travesty.
Sign the on-line petition
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/dropallcharges
More details and updates
http://www.myspace.com/dropallcharges
Austin Chronicle on latest DNA revelations
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:613673
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Chief Justice on what is wrong with Mike Scott’s “confession”
http://blog.law.northwestern.edu/bluhm/2007/06/second_yogurt_s.html