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MEDIA ADVISORY FROM FLORIDIANS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEATH PENALTY (FADP.org)4 February 2003 FADP CONTACT: Abe Bonowitz: 800-973-6548
LEGAL CONTACT: Mark Gruber: 800-500-5143, ext. 103
DNA EXONERATION LEADS TO MORE "WASHING OF THE HANDS..." At what was expected to be a routine status hearing before Hernando County Circuit Judge Richard Tombrink this morning, lawyers for Florida death row inmate Paul Christopher Hildwin revealed that DNA test results received last week exclude Mr. Hildwin as the depositor of sperm in the brutal 1986 rape and murder of Vronzettie Cox. With the State's "single-killer" theory in the case debunked, Capital Collateral Regional Counsel attorney Mark Gruber asked Judge Tombrink to immediately order the release of Mr. Hildwin. Tombrink declined to act affirmatively, instead ordering new motions which will result in a thorough review of all evidence in the case. "DNA testing proves that Paul Hildwin did not commit this murder," said Abe Bonowitz, director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty," There is no reason for him to spend another day on Florida's death row. Paul Hildwin did not commit this crime and should be freed immediately." The state contends that during a one hour period, Mr. Hildwin raped and murdered Ms. Cox, drove 16 miles round trip to a bank to forge a check from her checkbook, hid the car in woods 1.5 miles from his home and returned to his own car approximately 7 miles away on foot. The other possible suspect in this case was discounted, despite the fact that he was the victim's boyfriend, that he had a history of arguing with her, and that he failed to report her as missing until four days after the murder when the victim's relatives asked about her. Further details of the Hildwin case will be available on the web page of FADP (http://www.FADP.org) within 48 hours. "Once again we have a jailhouse snitch seeking leniency being used to put the wrong person put on death row while the real guilty party goes free," said Bonowitz. "I hope Jeb Bush is paying attention, and I wonder if the people of Florida really agree with him that we should abolish the most effective death penalty related program in the state - the offices of the Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, which provides legal counsel for prisoners facing execution in Florida." More information about the move to abolish the CCRC's is available at http://www.fadp.org/pressconfjan2003.htm. For more information on this case and today's hearing, please contact CCRC attorney
PLEASE NOTE: Mark Gruber and CCRC are NOT affiliated with FADP. ******
SENT BY:
Abraham J. Bonowitz
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
 supporting and coordinating the work of organizations and
individuals educating and energizing the general public and state legislators supporting the many persons affected by capital crime and
punishment advocating specific legislative improvements
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