Felons may get 2nd chance at innocence

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A bill just passed the State House that would give already convicted criminals a second chance to prove their innocence.

It would allow certain convicted criminals the right to request that the courts order new forensic testing.

The catch is that the criminal would first need to win a motion before a judge proving that re-testing DNA evidence may result in an acquittal.

The bill applies whether your in a local jail, state prison or even if your on parole or probation.

This bill was unanimously approved and the state senate has already passed a similar bill which makes it likely that this will come down to Governor Patrick's decision.

Here's what some 22News viewers had to say, Wendi writes: "If they are innocent, then they deserve that...if it can help convict...it can work both ways."

And Kayla says, "It depends on when they were convinced. A set by date should be mandatory, otherwise I'm sure it would be used as an excuse more times than not."

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And believe it or not, this is not an uncommon type of bill.

Currently, Massachusetts is one of just two states that does not allow convicted criminals to have DNA evidence re-examined.