In 1978, the FBI presented a flawed report on hair analysis that wrongfully resulted in the conviction of Santae A. Tribble for killing a Southeast Washington taxi driver. He served a 28-year prison sentence and was exonerated in 2012. Then just a few weeks ago, a D.C. Superior Court judge ordered the District to pay $13.2 million in damages to three District men who had been falsely imprisoned for decades.
Unreliable FBI testimony
At all three D. C. trials, there had been exaggerated testimony about the reliability of FBI forensic hair matches. In Tribble’s trial, an FBI examiner had testified that the hairs found on a stocking found near the scene of the crime microscopically matched Tribble’s. (The attacker allegedly wore a stocking mask.) Prosecutors suggested to the jury that it would be a “1 in a 10 million” coincidence if the hairs had come from someone else. He was convicted and given a life prison sentence in January 1980.
Systematic overstatement
Tribble’s case and other similar ones resulted in a federal review that concluded that FBI examiners systematically overstated testimony in just about all hair match cases against criminal defendants from about 1980-2000. Now the Justice Department is reviewing trial transcripts from cases involving other FBI Laboratory units to check for more “testimonial overstatement.”
Significant damages
- C. Court Judge John M. Mott awarded Tribble compensatory damages of $400,000 for every year he was in jail, plus $956,000 in lost wages, $412,000 in medical expenses, and $100,000 for each year since his release through 2019.
Too little, too late?
Not only did Tribble’s false conviction result in so many wasted years that he should have been prospering in the outside world, he also contracted serious health conditions in prison, such as severe depression, heroin addiction, HIV, and hepatitis. Medical experts predict he will die by 2019 because of his advance diseases.
Questioning evidence is key
Tribble’s case and others illustrate that even FBI so-called evidence isn’t always reliable. You’d think that of all the evidence in the world, the FBI’s would be the most concrete, but that’s not always true.
How to prevent a false conviction in your case
So if you’ve been accused of a crime, you need to find a discerning attorney who will pursue question every single piece of evidence the prosecutors attempt to use against you in your case – even if it’s from the FBI.
Seasoned attorney Dan Chambers of the Chambers Law Firm is one excellent criminal defense attorney who isn’t afraid to defend his clients from prosecutors – even if they have FBI evidence – and pursue every avenue to prevent a conviction in your case.
As soon as possible after your arrest, schedule an appointment to speak with Attorney Dan Chambers in-person at any one of his 7 Southern California offices – in Beverly Hills, Irvine, Los Angeles, Rancho Cucamonga, San Diego, Santa Ana, and Temecula.
Your first consultation is free, so schedule yours now by calling 714-760-4088, emailing dchambers@clfca.com, or by using the chat box below. When you need an attorney who will tenaciously defend you against all evidence and overzealous prosecutors, go with Attorney Dan Chambers of the Chambers Law Firm.
