FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Republican House Majority in Juneau issued the following Press Release this afternoon:

"Thursday, March 05, 2009, Juneau, Alaska – Rep. Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage, plans to file legislation Monday setting standards for post-conviction DNA testing. Alaska currently is one of only six states without such laws.

'A wrongfully convicted person means two things: one, a guilty person is still on our streets, and two, our state has committed an injustice to the person in prison,' Lynn said. 'Both are unacceptable.'

The Supreme Court of the United States is considering the constitutionality of a state refusing post-conviction DNA testing, and Rep. Lynn thinks it’s time to prepare for a ruling. 'It’s prudent to have a bill ready pending a Court decision so we can take action to enhance public safety and promote justice,' Lynn said.

The bill being filed will likely be modified by Rep. Lynn before its first committee hearing, as more research is conducted, and the Court makes a ruling. 'We don’t want someone to abuse our laws to escape just punishment,' Lynn said. 'But at the same time, we must craft a system that serves both justice and the wrongfully convicted.'

The proposed legislation may be read across the Alaska State House floor as early as Monday, at which time, committee referrals will be given." #### End of Press Release.

Personal comment: Get the guilty into jail. Get the innocent out of jail. Well, duh!