Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law

80 Years Of Combined Trial Experience

Don’t let circumstantial evidence condemn you

On Behalf of | Dec 31, 2015 | Firm News, Murder & Other Homicide Crimes |

While there is a legal defense for nearly every type of crime and circumstance, there are certain issues that can make it extremely difficult to claim innocence. For example, if you are accused of sexual assault and investigators find traces of semen matching your DNA on the clothes of the victim, it will be difficult to leave the courtroom with an acquittal. The same can be said for fingerprints on a murder weapon. Sometimes evidence that is less concrete can still harm your case if you are not prepared to defend yourself.

In a tragic case that occurred recently in Louisiana, a sheriff’s deputy was found dead in her car from multiple gunshot wounds. Police began investigating the incident, and recently arrested an ex-boyfriend of the deputy, citing him as a person of interest because of the troubled relationship. Additionally, the man was wanted for violating the sex offender registration act, so a warrant was already outstanding.

Many people, police included, view these circumstances as incriminating. The man had a troubled relationship with the woman, and thus may have wished harm upon her, and he has had run-ins with the law before, so he is capable of criminal activity. These are the assumptions upon which expectations of guilt are already being placed for a man that may very well have had nothing to do with the murder. Still, because of these circumstances, many people already assume that the man is guilty.

Cases like these illustrate why legal assistance is so important when it comes to criminal defense. Circumstances that are completely beyond your control can come together and make it seem like you are the prime suspect in a case for which you may be completely innocent. If you are facing criminal accusations for a violent crime, consider meeting with an attorney as soon as possible. Legal expertise can help minimize the damage that circumstantial evidence can do to your case.

Source: AL, “Tuscaloosa man charged in murder of Louisiana sheriff’s deputy,” Carol Robinson, Dec. 16, 2015

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