CHAPEL HEARING POSTPONED. AGAIN.

Michael Chapel was scheduled to have his evidentiary Habeas hearing this Friday, Nov. 7th but the hearing has been postponed, likely until early next year. It's not the news any of us supporting Mike want to hear, but I think there may be a silver lining here.

Due to new evidence and expert analysis submitted by Chapel's attorney, Billy Rennie, the State has requested a continuance while they review the evidence and prepare a rebuttal. The evidence is partially concerning the raincoat that was kept in Chapel's evidence box at the Gwinnett County DA's office. The raincoat became a central talking point in IN THE LAND OF LIES. In Episode 10 when visiting the District Attorney's office, I was allowed to review the raincoat, the first time the evidence had been reviewed in over a decade since amateur investigator Pamela Holcomb visited DA Danny Porter's office. As you can see in the pictures below, they initially did not want to allow access.

The alleged blood spatter on the raincoat belonging to Emogene Thompson has never forensically been proven. In fact, It has been questioned whether or not the raincoat held as evidence was Chapel's at all. As I mentioned in Episode 10, it was difficult to even distinguish between alleged blood spatter and mold spots, and there has long been the theory of cross-contamination while in storage.

Other evidence contested by experts is the theory that Emogene Thompson was shot two times while seated In her car. This evidence, as has been previously discussed and questioned, claims that at least one of those shots was potentially fired outside of the vehicle, and there is question concerning whether or not the second bullet was fired from the same gun, as it was never tested forensically. Jermaine Rogers' (Tookie) witness statement corroborates this. Blood spatter (or the lack of) in the vehicle and the lack of blood on Emogene's purse once it was located are main factors here. These points, in addition to the mountain of evidence pointing to Chapel's innocence, such as the audio of the Arden Rd. dispatch call seeming to confirm Chapel was at the fire hall at the time of Ms. Thompson's murder, will likely come in to play at his Hearing - whenever that is.

Mike is obviously saddened and frustrated that this case will continue to drag on, but says he honestly isn't surprised at this point. He remains hopeful, though, that the truth will set him free in the end. As I said, perhaps there is a silver lining in this continuance.

I'll update as a new hearing date is set.

©Sean Kipe

©Sean Kipe

©Sean Kipe

©Sean Kipe