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Bill > SB1465
VA SB1465
VA SB1465Virginia State Crime Commission; designating review panel, cases involving Mary Jane Burton, report.
summary
Introduced
01/17/2025
01/17/2025
In Committee
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
Crossed Over
02/22/2025
02/22/2025
Passed
03/07/2025
03/07/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
03/24/2025
03/24/2025
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Virginia State Crime Commission; review panel; cases involving Mary Jane Burton; report. Directs the Virginia State Crime Commission (the Crime Commission) to designate a panel, consisting of members outlined in the bill, to review the following types of cases at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science where testing or analysis was performed by Mary Jane Burton: (i) cases resulting in convictions of persons who are currently incarcerated, or who were executed or exonerated, and (ii) cases where Burton testified, regardless of the final disposition of the case. However, the panel shall prioritize the review of such cases resulting in convictions of persons who are currently incarcerated. The bill provides that the Crime Commission shall provide staff support to the panel, and may request and shall receive support from other state or local government agencies. The bill provides that the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act do not apply to this panel or its review, or to any information received by or disseminated to any state or local government agency, private organization, or other entity for purposes of this review. The bill directs the panel to report on its work to the Crime Commission by the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly until completion of this review. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia State Crime Commission. This bill is identical to HB 2730.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a specialized review panel within the Virginia State Crime Commission to investigate cases involving Mary Jane Burton, a forensic scientist who worked at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science. The panel will review two types of cases: (1) cases resulting in convictions of currently incarcerated, executed, or exonerated individuals, and (2) cases where Burton testified, with priority given to currently incarcerated cases. The panel will consist of diverse legal professionals, including a Commonwealth's attorney, public defender, court-appointed counsel, a retired circuit court judge, a representative from the Attorney General's office, the Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, and an independent serologist. The panel's primary objectives are to determine if Burton engaged in a pattern of misconduct and evaluate the accuracy of her testing, analysis, and testimony. The bill provides the panel with broad access to case information, including personal records and criminal histories, and exempts the panel's work from standard Freedom of Information Act requirements. The panel will be required to report its progress to the Crime Commission at the start of each legislative session until the review is complete, with the understanding that its findings can be used in post-conviction proceedings but are not legally binding.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0430) (on 03/24/2025)
Official Document
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