Opinion ID: 1390030
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Lee Furrow

Text: Petitioner contends the jurors were deprived of a basis for finding reasonable doubt because the prosecution failed to provide the jury with information about the presence of blood on the coveralls, Mr. Furrow's background, and the destruction of the coveralls. (Pet. at 28.) Petitioner is confusing the burden of the prosecution at trial with his burden on habeas in establishing a claim of actual innocence. The jury was aware that the coveralls were destroyed. (102 RT 6545-55.) It is hardly surprising that defense counsel did not present the testimony of Diana Roper. Her credibility issues were readily apparent. (Answer, Ex. 53.) Moreover, the post-conviction DNA testing has confirmed Petitioner's guilt. ( See Supplemental DOJ Physical Evidence Exam Report dated Sept. 24, 2002.) The stories about Mr. Furrow and coveralls, T-shirts, and hatchet originate with Diana Roper. Diana Roper, now deceased, was abusing drugs and had a motive for disparaging Furrow since he left her the night of the murders, and had begun a sexual relationship with her childhood friend, Debbie Glasgow. (Answer, Ex. 37 (Furrow Decl.).) Significantly, Furrow had an alibi for the night of the murders. He was seen at a concert that night in Glen Helen Park with Debbie Glasgow. It would have been a poor strategy to claim that they traveled from the concert in Glen Helen to Chino Hills, murdered the Ryens and Chris Hughes, and returned home to Mentone. ( See Answer, (map); 37 (Furrow Decl.); 39(Darnell Decl.); 41 (Schepling Decl.); 47 (Curry Decl.).) In any event, Roper's statements about Furrow do not constitute reliable evidence that could support an actual innocence claim. See Schlup, 513 U.S. at 324, 115 S.Ct. 851; Thompson, 523 U.S. at 559, 118 S.Ct. 1489.