Tucson Murder Conviction Overturned

Arizona Supreme Court Upholds Decision by Lower Court of Appeals

Tucson Resident Louie Machado was convicted in 2008 of the slaying of 16-year old Rebecca Ramsay. However, a later court of appeals chose to overturn the conviction based on evidence deliberately restricted by the presiding judge. Ramsay was shot and killed just outside her home in 2000. Police charged Machado with the murder in 2006, though they had identified him as a suspect years previously.

In the original trial, presided over by now retired Judge Frank Dawley, Machado was convicted based primarily on testimony provided by his mother and girlfriend. Machado's mother claimed he had murdered Ramsay in an attempt to extort money from Ramsay's father, who reportedly owed a drug debt to Machado's father Gilbert. In addition, his girlfriend reported that he had confessed the murder to her during a cell phone conversation. Both the mother and the girlfriend would later recant these testimonies.

Restricted Evidence Provided Doubts

The Appeals Court discovered, however, that Judge Dawley had prevented evidence from being presented that seemed to possibly exonerate Machado. With this evidence brought to light, Machado's attorneys pointed to a second suspect, Jonathan Hutchens, a boyfriend of Ramsay's close friend.

Dawley suppressed three key pieces of evidence implicating Hutchens. First, he was known to possess a .32 caliber weapon, the same type that had been used in Ramsay's murder. Second, it was reported he threatened to kill her shortly before her death in 2000. And third, shortly after her murder, Ramsay's family received an anonymous call apologizing for her death from a man who made statements consistent with those Hutchens would later make, utilizing information that was not released to the public but which Hutchens would have had access to. The Appeals Court decided that the Judge's decision to withhold this evidence was clearly a mistake, and overturned Machado's conviction. This decision was recently upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court.

Criminal Charges Can Be Beat

A dedicated defense attorney with skill and experience can help you protect yourself from a murder conviction. It is imperative that you seek out professional legal counsel in the event you are facing charges. For this reason, do not hesitate to contact an aggressive Tempe criminal defense lawyer as quickly as possible if you are facing charges of this nature. At the Knowles Law Firm, PLC, they understand what you are facing; you can be confident that they will stop at nothing in their efforts to protect your rights.

Call now to contact a Tempe criminal defense attorney at Knowles Law Firm, PLC as quickly as possible if you are looking for aggressive representation that you can rely on!