MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 Regular Session

To: Judiciary En Banc

By: Representative Mayo

House Bill 234

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE REVIEW OF FORENSIC EVIDENCE IN CERTAIN CAPITAL CASES TO DETERMINE IF ANY EVIDENCE IS TAINTED AND IF ANY VERDICT WAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED; TO REQUIRE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO PETITION FOR APPROPRIATE RELIEF WHEN NECESSARY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  The Attorney General shall review the forensic evidence in all capital cases prosecuted since 1980 to determine if such forensic evidence is accurate and to determine whether the verdict in any of the cases was adversely affected by the use of such evidence.  If the Attorney General makes a determination that a case was adversely affected by the use of tainted forensic evidence, then he shall petition the court for appropriate relief.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.