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Judge Oxenhandler declares manifest injustice in 1990 murder case, urging new trial
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May 22, 2012
COLUMBIA, Missouri: Early this month, Boone County Circuit Judge Gary Oxenhandler declared manifest injustice in a 1990 murder case. Mark Woodworth was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his neighbor, Cathy Robertson, who was shot and killed in her home. The Missouri Supreme Court assigned Judge Oxenhandler to review the case and he found that there were conflicts of interest between a judge, the prosecution and law enforcement along with key evidence which was not given to the defense during the trial.[1]
- "It is convincingly clear that our judicial process wronged [Mark] Woodworth, and that he deserves the relief that our judicial process affords. His conviction should be set aside, his case should be reviewed by an independent prosecutor exercising prosecutorial discretion, and, if it is determined that he should be retried, his trial should be presided over by an independent judge."[2] - Judge Oxenhandler
Woodworth's attorney was happy with the decision, saying "We won, I'm very gratified. I thought we presented some very strong proof that from the beginning, it was a frame-up."[1]
The Robertson family was troubled by the decision.
- "They are absolutely crushed by this opinion. They really believe the judge has failed them, and failed all crime victims in Missouri, by ignoring the evidence in this case."[1] - Robertson family representative Susan Ryan
Oxenhandler has recommended the conviction be set aside, but the final decision rests with the Supreme court.[1]
Footnotes
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