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News Scan

A paraplegic with two prior robbery allegations was convicted Friday for a third time according to a story by Marisa Lagos of the San Francisco Chronicle. The 35-year-old Asian man, Cuong Vinh Tran would rob victims while in his car, pretending to hold them at gunpoint. The victims were attacked while walking and were unaware that he was a paraplegic. He was charged with two counts of robbery and one of attempted robbery.

DNA testing of dog hairs used as evidence in Atlanta murders from the late 1970s and early 1980s to convict Wayne Williams, was approved by state lawyers according to an AP story. Williams was sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the murders of 27-year-old Nathaniel Carter and 21-year-old Jimmy Ray Payne. He was also held responsible for 22 other deaths. State attorneys allowed the DNA testing after Williams appealed his conviction. They do not think the DNA testing will show "reasonable probability" that the charges would have been different. At the original trial, a fiber analysis of hair found on the victims matched the hair of the Williams' dog. The trial used hair found at Williams' car, home, and parents' home as the main evidence to convict him. Williams claims officials covered up evidence that the KKK was involved in the killings.

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