A North Carolina man who confessed to a fatal stabbing in 1979 is getting a chance to prove his innocence during a hearing before three judges.
The hearing for 66-year-old James Blackmon is scheduled to begin Tuesday in a courtroom in Raleigh. In November, the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission found enough evidence of Blackmon's innocence to forward his case to a three-judge panel for review.
Blackmon's attorneys argue that their client is a mentally ill man who wore a Superman-like cape during his confession and compared himself to Dracula. The prosecutor agrees Blackmon has mental health and cognitive issues. However, the prosecutor says a trial judge and the state Court of Appeals determined decades ago that Blackmon was competent to stand trial in the death of Helena Payton at what's now St. Augustine's University.
300x250 Ad
300x250 Ad