The Hair that Unraveled a Wrongful Prosecution
In criminal cases, the power of forensic evidence can’t be overstated. It has the potential to change lives, as it did for our client LaShanda Person.
Imagine being charged for a crime you didn't commit, facing a death sentence you don't deserve...
This was LaShanda’s reality until her attorneys hired AK Investigations and our team stepped in. Her story is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do, and why investigators are such a critical part of a defense team.
The Background
LaShanda was one of three women indicted in a cold case homicide from 2006, where a man was fatally beaten and stabbed. In 2022, 16 years after the crime was committed, she was charged with capital murder based on forensic evidence – specifically, a strand of hair allegedly found on the victim’s walking cane at the crime scene.
The prosecution claimed the DNA derived from this hair matched LaShanda's, implicating her in the crime.
The Breakthrough
Our team took a closer look at the evidence presented against LaShanda. We meticulously organized each piece of forensic data into a spreadsheet, revealing inconsistencies and questionable practices in the evidence collection and analysis.
For instance, the way LaShanda's hair sample was collected and documented raised major questions, especially when compared to other samples in the case.
We discovered that, contrary to the evidence presented to the grand jury, the DNA results couldn't definitively link the hair to LaShanda, and actually could have belonged to anyone in her maternal genetic line! This finding, along with the identification of other potential contributors to the crime scene evidence that were never tested, pointed to significant flaws in the investigation.
Armed with our findings, the attorney challenged the evidence that had placed LaShanda at the scene and convinced the grand jury to indict her for capital murder. Our forensic analysis not only cast doubt on the hair "match" but also brought to light the failure to pursue other leads and interview crucial witnesses.
This comprehensive approach ultimately changed the trajectory of LaShanda's case and her life.
Today, LaShanda is free.
Her case underscores the importance of questioning and verifying EVERY piece of evidence, no matter how small or seemingly conclusive.
It's a reminder that behind every case file is a human life, and the dogged pursuit of truth is always a worthwhile endeavor.
In the video below, LaShanda shares her harrowing experience and the pivotal role AK Investigations played in her exoneration.
It's stories like hers that drive us to fight for truth and justice every day.