Fire investigators say wrong methods used to convict Todd Willingham
By: Ryan Loyd, Weareaustin.com
Updated: January 7, 2011
Todd Willingham was put to death in 2004 for setting fire to a home that killed his three young daughters. Friday, a group in downtown Austin held signs and sent a strong message to the Texas Forensic Science Commission, which heard testimony from experts who say faulty methods were used during the investigation of that crime.
"The investigations were negligent at the time," said Stephen Saloom with the Innocence Project. "These were not the conclusions that responsible investigators would have come to."
One expert believes investigators used standards of the time of the fire in 1991. But Dr. Craig Beyer, President of the International Association of Fire Safety Science, says procedures were clearly overlooked.
"The basis of these investigations were such that you could not come to the conclusion, reasonably, professionaly, that they were arsons," he said. "They are undetermined fires. It was not reasonable. It was not appropriate, professional conduct."
The Texas Forensic Science Commission will meet again in two weeks to talk about how to draft their report.
John Bradley, who heads up the commission, said Friday's hearing is an exercise in education.
The outcome of the report, he said, may not automatically lend itself to be admissible in court. But many are hoping it could lead to a posthumous exoneration for Willingham.
"The investigations were negligent at the time," said Stephen Saloom with the Innocence Project. "These were not the conclusions that responsible investigators would have come to."
One expert believes investigators used standards of the time of the fire in 1991. But Dr. Craig Beyer, President of the International Association of Fire Safety Science, says procedures were clearly overlooked.
"The basis of these investigations were such that you could not come to the conclusion, reasonably, professionaly, that they were arsons," he said. "They are undetermined fires. It was not reasonable. It was not appropriate, professional conduct."
The Texas Forensic Science Commission will meet again in two weeks to talk about how to draft their report.
John Bradley, who heads up the commission, said Friday's hearing is an exercise in education.
The outcome of the report, he said, may not automatically lend itself to be admissible in court. But many are hoping it could lead to a posthumous exoneration for Willingham.
