Opinion ID: 1390030
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: Mental Patient Anthony Wisely's Alleged Report of the Kenneth Koon Confession

Text: Petitioner contends that the multiple hearsay statements of a mental patient, Anthony Wisely, demonstrates his innocence and the unreliability of the jury's verdict. (Pet. at 28.) The statements that Petitioner attributes to Kenneth Koon consist of multiple hearsay related by mental patient Anthony Wisely. Petitioner attempts to tie the information attributed to Mr. Koon by the mental patient to Diana Roper. Koon met Roper after Furrow left her, and Koon later married her. Koon has denied any involvement in the Ryen/Hughes murders. (Answer, Exs. 37 (Furrow Decl.); 48 (Curry Decl.); 54(Koon Decl.).) Considerably more than a mental patient's secondhand version of a confession by Koon is required to demonstrate actual innocence. See Schlup, 513 U.S. at 324, 115 S.Ct. 851; Thompson, 523 U.S. at 559, 118 S.Ct. 1489. The post-conviction DNA testing confirms Petitioner's guilt and refutes Petitioner's allegations regarding Koon. Item A-41 is from an African American, (93 RT 4424); Koon is white. Petitioner's DNA is found on the cigarette butts in the Ryen station wagon. ( See Supplemental DOJ Physical Evidence Exam Report dated Sept. 24, 2002.) Petitioner's blood and Doug Ryen's blood are on the T-shirt found near the crime scene. ( See Supplemental DOJ Physical Evidence Exam Report dated Sept. 24, 2002.) The mitochondrial DNA testing and EDTA testing have not undermined the post-conviction DNA testing results confirming Petitioner's guilt. The Court previously considered and adjudicated Petitioner's claims regarding mental patient Wisely's account, and the Court affirmed the ruling and denied a successive petition. Cooper I, 92-CV-427, Aug. 25, 1997 Order. This Court has further evaluated the allegations in light of all the evidence, and DENIES the claims on the merits.