News Release
For Immediate Release
July 11, 2002

GREENLEAF POST CONVICTION DNA BILL SIGNED INTO LAW 

HARRISBURG –A measure sponsored by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to provide for post-conviction DNA testing has been signed into law by Gov. Mark Schweiker.

Senate Bill 589 allows an inmate to petition the sentencing court for forensic DNA testing that might prove the inmate’s innocence. The state, under the bill, would cover the cost of testing if the applicant is indigent.

Greenleaf noted that other states have enacted similar laws.  “DNA evidence is a two-way street,” he said  “It can be used to identify perpetrators, and it can be used to set free those who were wrongly convicted.  This bill would facilitate use of such evidence by Pennsylvania inmates who can convince a court that DNA evidence will help to prove their innocence.”

Under the new law, death row inmates will have the opportunity to seek DNA testing to demonstrate innocence or to obtain a lesser sentence by eliminating an aggravating circumstance in the murder conviction.