Md. Public Defenders Weighing Appeals In DNA Cases

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender says it is seriously considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in two cases involving rape convictions where DNA analysts' reports were used but the analysts themselves never testified.

The Daily Record of Baltimore reports the chief of the office's forensics division, Stephen B. Mercer, says the office is considering the appeals.

According to officials, one case involves Orville Cooper, who was convicted of a 2006 rape. The other case involves Norman Bruce Derr, who was convicted of a 1984 rape. In both cases, witnesses cited DNA reports but the analysts never testified. One or both cases could be appealed. 
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