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Ohio man convicted by paralysed victim's blinks | Ohio man convicted by paralysed victim's blinks |
(35 minutes later) | |
A US man has been convicted of murder on the evidence of his paralysed victim, who identified him by blinking as he lay dying in hospital. | A US man has been convicted of murder on the evidence of his paralysed victim, who identified him by blinking as he lay dying in hospital. |
Ricardo Woods, 35, fatally shot David Chandler, 35, in the head and neck in Cincinnati, Ohio, in October 2010. | Ricardo Woods, 35, fatally shot David Chandler, 35, in the head and neck in Cincinnati, Ohio, in October 2010. |
The trial saw a video of Chandler blinking to identify Woods as his attacker, from a photo shown to him by investigators at his bedside. | The trial saw a video of Chandler blinking to identify Woods as his attacker, from a photo shown to him by investigators at his bedside. |
Defence lawyers said they would appeal against the guilty verdict. | Defence lawyers said they would appeal against the guilty verdict. |
Chandler blinked three times when police showed him the photo of Woods, asking if this was the man who had shot him as he sat in a car. | Chandler blinked three times when police showed him the photo of Woods, asking if this was the man who had shot him as he sat in a car. |
Mistaken identity defence | Mistaken identity defence |
He again blinked three times "clearly, intentionally and decisively" when asked if he was sure, prosecutors told the trial. | He again blinked three times "clearly, intentionally and decisively" when asked if he was sure, prosecutors told the trial. |
The victim, who was on a ventilator, died about two weeks after the police interview. | The victim, who was on a ventilator, died about two weeks after the police interview. |
Judge Beth Myers had watched the 17-minute video and said that she found the identification reliable. | Judge Beth Myers had watched the 17-minute video and said that she found the identification reliable. |
She noted that Chandler made pronounced, exaggerated eye movements, not involuntary blinks. | She noted that Chandler made pronounced, exaggerated eye movements, not involuntary blinks. |
A doctor who treated the victim also testified that he had been able to communicate clearly. | A doctor who treated the victim also testified that he had been able to communicate clearly. |
But the defence insisted their client had been a victim of mistaken identity. | But the defence insisted their client had been a victim of mistaken identity. |
They argued that Chandler's condition, and the drugs used to treat him, had affected his ability to understand and respond to police. | They argued that Chandler's condition, and the drugs used to treat him, had affected his ability to understand and respond to police. |
They also pointed out there was no DNA evidence, fingerprints or weapon to link Woods to the crime. | They also pointed out there was no DNA evidence, fingerprints or weapon to link Woods to the crime. |
However, the trial also heard that a prison informant said Woods had admitted to him that he shot Chandler. | However, the trial also heard that a prison informant said Woods had admitted to him that he shot Chandler. |
Woods, who protested his innocence as he was led from court, faces life in jail when sentenced next month. |
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