Forensic scientist Henry Lee, known for his work in criminal investigations, has been found responsible for fabricating evidence in the 1985 murder that led to the wrongful conviction of two Connecticut men.
Ralph “Ricky” Birch and Sean Henning have reportedly been sentenced to decades in prison for the murder of Everett Carr, based in part on Lee’s testimony about blood stains found on a towel at Carr’s home in New Milford. Associated Press.
Development: A federal judge has ruled in favor of two men wrongfully imprisoned in the 1980s New Milford murders in a civil case against former CT coroner Dr. Henry Lee and others.Pretrial judgment paved the way for future financial settlements pic.twitter.com/TaEggqu2jO
— Newsbell (@newsbell) July 21, 2023
Birch served more than 30 years of his 55-year sentence before being released in 2019. Henning was granted probation in 2018, the paper noted.
However, after their felony murder convictions were overturned in 2020, the pair now face federal wrongful conviction proceedings against Lee, eight police investigators, and New Milford, according to the Associated Press. (Related: Innocent man released after 33 years in prison)
Judge Victor Bolden ruled that Mr. Lee had falsified evidence supporting his testimony and had erred in an immunity defense that could have protected him from damages. Hartford Courant.
Lee defended his actions in the investigation, saying that throughout his illustrious career, “I was never accused of wrongdoing or knowingly false testimony,” according to the Associated Press.
Mr Lee and the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office, which is representing police investigators, are reviewing the decision to determine their next steps, spokeswoman Elizabeth Benton said.
Lee, who rose to fame for testifying in the infamous O.J. Simpson murder trial, has been involved in several high-profile investigations over the years. “This is the first case that I have to defend,” the famous scientist told reporters.
Nonetheless, Lee made headlines when he was accused of stripping evidence from a crime scene during the 2007 Phil Spector murder trial, according to the Associated Press.
