|
THE PLAIN DEALER
Painter: Give Me Polygraph In Spirko Case Page 3 of 5 Parole board member Bedra sounded a similar theme on Wednesday, although not necessarily on Spirko's behalf. Bedra described Willier's story as a legitimate lead, especially in light of 1984 testimony by a forensic scientist called by the defense. The expert testified that paint on the shroud matched paint that Willier and Dingus had been applying to Findlay homes that summer. Bedra challenged state officials to pursue Willier's story in the interest of justice - for Mottinger and her family. Everyone agrees that more than one offender was involved, Bedra said. Regardless of whether Spirko is guilty or innocent, he said, "we can all assume that one or more offenders is still out there. I think the state missed a window of opportunity." Bedra urged officials - especially Van Wert County Prosecutor Charles Kennedy, in whose county the crime occurred - to follow up. "Who knows what you'll find?" Bedra said. It could not be determined if Kennedy plans to heed Bedra's advice. He could not be reached Friday. Charles Wille, an assistant Ohio attorney general, expressed skepticism at Wednesday's hearing that any evidence could be found now to corroborate Willier's account. When asked Friday whether the attorney general's office would try to find Willier, spokeswoman Kim Norris said in an e-mail that a federal judge had already determined that the Willier issues weren't relevant because they didn't prove Spirko was innocent. Bedra's suggestion followed the videotaped testimony of Wyandot County investigator Latham, who has broken ranks with the law enforcement community to appear on Spirko's behalf at both of his clemency hearings. Latham has said he found Willier's story far more credible than the prosecution theory that put Spirko on death row. No physical evidence implicated Spirko, and nothing was found to link the lifelong criminal and admitted con man to Elgin, Mottinger or the area outside Findlay where her body was found.
|