No witnesses came forward. At trial, state lab workers testified that blood on Carter's clothes was TypeB, the same as Lewis' blood type. But defense lawyers argue that blood-typing tests are highly unreliable and have been responsible for numerous wrongful convictions across the country. The more reliable DNA testing was inconclusive because of a scarcity of material available to test in Carter's case. Lab workers also testified that microscopic fibers found on the wheel of the Dumpster and under Lewis' fingernails were consistent with fibers found on Carter's sweatshirt.
Defense lawyers argue that the fibers are also consistent with many other materials.
Lab workers also reported that red chips found on Carter's shirt appeared consistent with Lewis' red fingernail polish. Defense lawyers argue that the red chips could be something other than fingernail polish. In the 4 months between Carter's two trials, his attorneys never spoke to him to prepare his defense. When Carter complained, the trial judge refused to replace the attorneys. So Carter, who had no legal training, chose to represent himself.