Holmes v. South Carolina Upholds Trial by Jury

Bobby Lee Holmes was convicted of a brutal rape-murder and sentenced to death. The only evidence that connected him to the crime was forensic: a palm print, and blood and fiber evidence. (Biological samples taken from the victim for two rape kits were compromised and yielded no identifiable evidence.) Holmes claimed that the state\u27s forensic evidence was planted and mishandled, and that the rape and murder were committed by another man, Jimmy McCaw White. At a pretrial hearing three witnesses testified that they saw White near the victim\u27s house at about the time of the crime, and four others testified that they heard White admit his guilt. White testified at the hearing and denied that he had committed this crime or made the statements to which the defense witnesses had testified. The trial judge excluded all evidence about Jimmy White from Holmes\u27s trial