In a significant legal development, a Delaware County judge has overturned the convictions of three Pennsylvania men who spent decades incarcerated for the 1997 slaying of 70-year-old Henrietta Nickens in Chester, Pennsylvania. Derrick Chappell and first cousins Morton Johnson and Sam Grasty were found guilty separately for the murder, despite DNA evidence not linking them to the crime scene.
The brutal killing of Henrietta Nickens, which occurred in her home, involved harrowing details including severe beatings, the removal of her underwear, and signs of a struggle throughout the residence. Despite the presence of semen at the crime scene, subsequent DNA analysis excluded Chappell, Johnson, and Grasty as the source. Prosecutors attempted to downplay the significance of this evidence, suggesting it could have originated from unrelated consensual intercourse.
The convictions of Chappell, Johnson, and Grasty rested heavily on the testimony of Richard McElwee, who claimed to have acted as a lookout during the robbery. McElwee, who was 15 at the time of the crime, struck a plea deal in exchange for his testimony, while the trio faced life sentences.
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Throughout their incarceration, the “Chester Trio” maintained their innocence, garnering support from various organizations advocating for the wrongly convicted. Last year, forensic expert Timothy Palmbach’s testimony, along with advanced DNA techniques, presented compelling new evidence contradicting the prosecution’s narrative.
Palmbach’s findings highlighted a mixture of DNA at the crime scene, including semen, blood, and urine on Nickens’ bedsheet, indicating a simultaneous assault and sexual activity. This revelation challenged the prosecution’s assertion that the sexual encounter was unrelated to the crime.
Armed with this new evidence, the defendants successfully petitioned for their convictions to be overturned and requested a new trial. The District Attorney’s office is currently reviewing the case to determine the necessity of further legal proceedings.
The exoneration of Chappell, Johnson, and Grasty marks a significant victory for justice and underscores the importance of thorough examination and consideration of all available evidence in criminal proceedings. As these men reclaim their freedom after years of wrongful imprisonment, questions linger about the adequacy of the initial investigation and the impact of flawed testimonies on the pursuit of truth and justice.
