LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A man who was sentenced to death in Maryland but later exonerated by DNA evidence is urging Nebraska lawmakers to adopt statewide standards for the use of law enforcement photo lineups.
Kirk Bloodsworth testified before the Judiciary Committee Thursday on behalf of the Innocence Project. Bloodsworth was wrongfully convicted in 1985 after five witnesses misidentified him as the man who raped and murdered a 9-year-old girl.
Senator Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln introduced legislation that would require all law enforcement agencies to adopt "best practices" when presenting photo lineups to witnesses. Roughly 60 percent have already done so, but civil liberties groups say practices should be uniform statewide.
The Nebraska attorney general's office voiced concerns that "best practices" could change over time, requiring additional legislation.
The bill is LB846.
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