Media Articles:

Maryland's DNA Databank

by Stephen B. Mercer and William G. McLain

Nov/Dec 2004
Volume XXXVII Number 6

Maryland Bar Journal Website

Screen Savers

Can Grand Old Theaters survive in the age of multiplex?
Featuring Stephen Mercer
By Dan Gilgoff

U.S. News & World Report Magazine

Media

Sixty Minutes aired a piece titled "A Not So Perfect Match" (Lesley Stahl, correspondent; Shari Finkelstein, Producer; Megan Frank, Assistant Producer) Sunday evening, April 1, 2007. In the segment, Stephen B. Mercer, Esq., was interviewed concerning the privacy and civil rights implications of "near-match" or "familial searching" of convicted felon DNA databases. When there is a close match between DNA collected at a crime scene and a convicted offender profile in the DNA database, you know the person in the database didn't commit the crime, but the near match may suggest that a family member did. The Sixty Minutes story covers the controversy surrounding this new development in DNA databasing and its implications on the rights of all Americans.

October 2008

Genome Database Will Link Genes, Traits in Public View
By Ellen Nakashima Washington Post Staff Writer
Ellen Nakashima reports on a DNA project that advocates say will assist people by telling them what diseases might lurk in their future. Stephen Mercer is interviewed regarding the civil liberties concerns of DNA databases that may be misused to advance claims of behavior human genetics.
WashingtonPost.com

DNA Clears Man Convicted for 1987 Rape, Murder
myfoxdc.com

Watch Video at myfoxdc.com

DNA Clears Man - Keith Daniels
FoxBaltimore.com

A Dundalk man who was convicted of rape and murder and locked up in prison for decades is now free, thanks to D.N.A. evidence.

Md. man to be free after 21 years as case unravels
The Associated Press

DNA Clears Man Convicted for 1987 Rape, Murder
My Fox Washington DC

DNA Evidence Clears Man Jailed For 21 Years
WBALTV.com

Man Freed After 21 Years Thanks To DNA Evidence
wjz.com

Prisoner of 20 Years to Be Freed After DNA Tests
Washington Post, United States

DNA evidence exonerates man after 20 years in prison
Baltimore Sun, United States

State drops charges in 1987 murder
Daily Record (subscription), MD

Man freed after 21 years thanks to DNA evidence
Examiner.com

Md. man who served 21 years for killing neighbor freed after ...
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN

September 2008

Cache and Carry

The city has warned of dire consequences for publicizing an emergency-planning document. So why’d they put it on the Internet? Read Article at the Washington City Paper.

Judge Denies Protective Order for Easily Accessible Document
Read Article at the Washington City Paper.

New Forensic Technology and DNA Databases

Some Maryland lawmakers and activists are alarmed by moves to expand the collection of DNA samples to people charged -- but not necessarily convicted-- of violent crimes. But experts say the state's new initiative is part of a broader trend of expanding databases and new forensic technology. WAMU's Kojo Nmamdi Show invited Stephen Mercer and other guests to discuss the promises-- and potential hazards-- of this new field.

http://wamu.org/programs/kn/08/09/11.php#22247

Podcast available at:

http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_detail.php?siteId=9911221

DNA Testing Expands to Lesser Crimes

DNA testing in the county is expanding from killings and rapes to less violent robberies, burglaries and drug deals. Prosecutors say this will lead to quicker convictions because defendants will cave and plead guilty. Defense lawyers worry that as more DNA samples are pushed through the county's crime lab, it will boost the odds of false matches. Dan Morse of the Washington Post interviews Stephen Mercer about the potential for the gold standard of forensic science to be undermined. Click here to view at Washington Post

July 2008

A Preventable Tragedy? In an opinion article published by the Washington Post on July 20, 2008, William G. McLain and Stephen B. Mercer write that the death of Ronnie White, held on a murder charge of a police officer, might have been avoided if Maryland had provided him with consitutionally mandated counsel at his initial appearance before a commissioner. Read the full opinion article here.

May 2008

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week1137/cover.html
In a segment that aired May 18, 2008, Stephen Mercer, was interviewed regarding the privacy implications of familial searching of DNA databanks and his efforts on behalf of Pearl Wilson to have her deceased son's DNA expunged from Maryland's database. Watch the video here.

April 2008

Familial Searching of DNA Databases: In a comprehensive article, the Washington Post reports on the emerging trend of searching DNA databases to identify family members as possible suspects, and the arguments for and against such an investigative technique. See Ellen Nakashima, From DNA of Family, a Tool to Make Arrests, The Washington Post (April 20, 2008). Stephen B. Mercer is quoted regarding the dual privacy concerns of persons becoming genetic informants on their family members, and innocent family members themselves coming under lifelong genetic surveillance.
Read the full story.

February 2008

Baltimore Exaiminer reports, that “By enacting this legislation, the majority of African Americans will either be directly or indirectly in the database,” said Stephen Mercer, a Rockville lawyer. Read the full story.

Baltimore Sun reports O'Malley Urges DNA Collection, Read the full story.

Some decry forced DNA tests in violent-crime arrests.
Defense attorneys, civil rights and civil liberties groups lined up again this week to testify against bills calling for suspects arrested in violent crimes to submit to DNA tests. Click to read story.

January 2008

On January 24, 2008, Stephen B. Mercer, Esq., testifies before the House Judiciary Committee in opposition to the Governor's proposed DNA database expansion bill. Click to read story.