The Evidence
What the record shows.
According to the case documented here, the prosecution's theory did not square with the physical evidence. Among the points raised in Ernesto's defense:
The suspect could not have been in two places at once.
The suspect had undergone surgery four days before the crime took place.
Fingerprints, palm prints, and shoe castings did not match.
The suspect did not match the victim's description of the assailant.
The defense's position is that the State tampered with the DNA evidence.
The Larger Concern
DNA technology is powerful — but it is handled by people, and people can err or act in bad faith. When a conviction rests on DNA alone, without corroboration, the public deserves rigorous oversight. Ernesto's case is a warning about what happens when that oversight fails.
The Full Record
Tainted affidavits, the chain of custody, expert testimony, motions for DNA testing, and every petition and response are published in full at helpdna.org.