Renowned forensic scientist Henry Lee defended his work and reputation on Wednesday following a federal judge’s ruling that held him responsible for fabricating evidence in a murder trial, resulting in the wrongful conviction and imprisonment of Ralph “Ricky” Birch and Shawn Henning for several decades. The conviction was based, in part, on the testimony regarding bloodstains on a towel found at the crime scene. However, post-trial tests revealed that the stain was not blood.
In 2020, the felony murder convictions were vacated, leading Birch and Henning to file a wrongful conviction lawsuit against Lee, eight police investigators, and the town of New Milford. Last Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Victor Bolden ruled that there was no evidence to support Lee’s claim that he had conducted blood tests on the towel. The judge granted a motion for summary judgment against Lee, leaving only the determination of damages to be decided by a jury.
In response to the ruling, Lee expressed his disappointment and reiterated his denial of fabricating evidence. He suggested that the traces of blood may have degraded over the 20-year period between the crime and the defense’s testing of the towel. Lee emphasized that his chemical testing of the towel did not directly implicate Birch, Henning, or any other suspects in the crime. He also highlighted his inclusion of exculpatory evidence, such as a negative finding of blood on the defendants’ clothing, during his scientific testimony at their trial.
Lee, a former head of the state’s forensic laboratory and currently a professor emeritus at the University of New Haven’s Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, is widely recognized for his involvement in high-profile investigations, including the O.J. Simpson murder trial and the JonBenet Ramsey case. However, his work has faced scrutiny in several instances, including the murder trial of Phil Spector.
While Lee’s immunity defense failed to shield him from damages, his attorneys plan to appeal the court’s decision. The cases against the other defendants named in the lawsuit will proceed to a full trial.
In conclusion, Henry Lee firmly maintains his integrity as a forensic scientist and emphasizes that his role is to present scientific findings in the court of law, leaving the determination of evidence and questioning of witnesses to the legal process.
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