Asked 1/25/2016 – Orange, TX

I’m am currently working on a murder case in Texas. My best friends son was murdered in 2013. The 17 year old male who was arrested for the crime wasn’t the person who actually shot the victim but he was there. The guy that shot him was never questioned even after the witness saw him do it but because the witness was standing right there, he ended up getting the blood splatter on his shirt. This guy told police he didn’t do it and told the police who did. They didn’t believe him and wouldn’t let him leave until he confessed. He finally did but and signed off on it which we were told by the DA that he couldn’t be released no matter what because he signed off on it. He is serving life for a crime he didn’t commit. We now found proof that this other guy did it but police aren’t listening to us. What can we do to get them to look at this again? How can we make them listen and do something about it? We tried talking to a local attorney but he couldn’t help us. We want this killer off of the streets before he kills again. Any advice would be great right now. Thank you!

Answer

I need to know where we are in the process. You state he is serving a life sentence. I assume a plea or a verdict has been entered in this case. If so, the Innocence Project is probably;y the best way to proceed (again assuming that the time for motions for new trial or appeal has expired). If the case is still pending, and all the attorneys have this new information, please remember the DA does not have to accpt this evidence as truth and the case will probably not be flat out dismissed. A trial can be held, this evidence can be presented and the jury will decide the outcome.