Penn State CSI Students on the Zeigler Case
Review of Zeigler Project
During their final spring semester twenty five (25) undergraduate and five (5) graduate students from Penn State University (PSU) reviewed documents pertaining to the trial and conviction of William Thomas Zeigler.
Mr. Zeigler was convicted in 1976 of murdering his wife Eunice Zeigler, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Perry and Virginia Edwards, and a customer, Charlie Mays, on Christmas Eve 1975. The murders had occurred in the family-owned furniture store in Winter Garden, Florida. He is currently on Florida’s death row appealing his conviction.
The PSU students conducted this case review as an assignment for their Capstone course; a course designed to finalize each student’s education in criminalistics and forensic science through self-study and exercises such as the reconstruction/review of a major case such as the Zeigler investigation. Penn State Forensic Science graduates are expected to possess the requisite skills to effectively manage the various types of physical evidence encountered at the crime scene and in the laboratory. This case provided an excellent opportunity for the students to demonstrate their appreciation for the importance of a holistic approach to the scientific investigation of crimes.
The students were provided in excess of 10,000 pages of information that included limited crime scene photographs and reports from forensic laboratories used by both the prosecution and the defense. The majority of the documents were transcripts from the original trial and hearings. The students were asked to prepare a report and a presentation that included consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of prosecution and defense cases with respect to the available forensic evidence. They were asked to consider if the conclusions offered could have been strengthened had different protocols/procedures been used and if they found any conclusions that ventured beyond the limitations of the physical evidence and science. They were to consider elements such as: investigation/processing of the crime scene, evidence documentation, collection, and packaging; field tests/examinations; reports/testimony of all experts; autopsy findings as well as analysis of all other physical evidence.
In their final reports and presentations many of the students recognized that this type of case presented a very challenging situation for the investigators because all of the victims were closely associated with the suspect and the crime scene.
The students all felt that the crime scene processing and associated documentation were reflective of a different time period and that the processing of the scene would have been handled differently had the same incident occurred in 2011. The students noted the lack of scene security; insufficient documentation of personnel entering and exiting the scene, inadequate identification of location of evidence (bullet casings, guns, bloodstain patterns, shoe impressions) on the limited crime scene sketches; insufficient and non-informative photographs of the evidence (many were out of focus, taken from a distance, not adequately labeled ); and collection of evidence by officers who didn’t wear gloves or chose to smoke within the crime scene.
In reviewing the transcripts of the trial the students believed that the defense had raised some valid points concerning chain of custody of some of the evidence and they felt that under current circumstances items such as the bloodstained clothing of Tommy Zeigler would not have been admitted because of the handling and packaging of the evidence.
The students also observed that the testimonies of some of the witnesses exceeded their area of expertise and that the testimony lacked scientific foundation. Most concerning was the testimony of Dr. Herbert MacDonell. Called to testify as a bloodstain pattern expert, the students believed his testimony strayed well beyond what can be derived from bloodstain pattern analysis. The students did not find him to be a credible witness.
The vast majority of the students asserted that Mr. Zeigler’s case should be reviewed and that the on-going appeal is warranted.They felt that DNA testing on relevant items of evidence, such as the victims’ and suspect’s clothing, could shed informative light on the investigation. Some speculated that upon closer inspection of the evidence, Tommy Zeigler may be exonerated from the crime he was convicted of committing.
The PSU students were grateful for this opportunity to examine the information in the Zeigler case and they felt that it was an enlightening experience that helped them appreciate the complexities of crime scene reconstruction in a multiple homicide investigation.
Categories: Cold Case News, Forensics, Miscarriages of Justice, Unsolved
Tags: Actual Innocence, Autopsy, Ballistics, Capital Punishment, Crime Labs, Crime Scene, Death Row, DNA, Evidence, Expert Testimony, Faulty Evidence, FBI, Finger Printing, Florida, Forensics, Gun Fire, Identification, Investigations Division, Miscarriage of Justice, Partial Finger Printing, Police, Prisons, Prosecutorial Misconduct, Unsolved Homicide, Victim, William Thomas Zeigler, Witnesses, Wrongful Convictions
If only the State would do as thorough an investigation of the case as the Penn State CSI students have done. It’s about time they admit their mistakes instead of trying to bury them. All the red herrings they have tossed out in response to the new evidence that has surfaced over the years are finally being seen for what they are. More DNA testing will be requested at an Aug. 19 hearing. The State should be asking for the DNA rather than fighting it. It can only further reveal the truth. What are they afraid of?
I agree, Gail! Experts exceeding their area of expertise, deriving more than is possible from blood stains, and extremely good remarks on the crime scene photography. If this happened in 2011, we would not even have had a conviction. More information is coming. For now, please help spread the word that the Zeigler Legal Defense Team DID have valid points!
As always, thank you for your support and steadfast friendship, Vidster
Thank you very much for providing this information.
I hope that the students’ hard work proves to be valuable in Tommy’s upcoming hearings.
Me too, Susan. It clear shows what others have been saying all along: too many unanswered questions in a capital case!
Thanks for your support, V
Vidocq,
It is good to see this case come this far and equally good that you have hosted the details and kept us updated, here on DCC and via Twitter. It seems like yesterday that we were brainstorming on this case, where did the time go?
How wonderful that PSU has had this opportunity, so many years after the incident. I wish them every success.
I will happily link to this post on my blog, Vidocq.
A very big thank you to Vidocq’s team, the Penn State University students and all who have worked tirelessly over the years to bring the facts of this case out into the open! We were delighted to read the Penn State University’s response to their studies on the Zeigler case. But it comes as no surprise!
Many years ago we read Phillip Finch’s 1992 investigative book, Fatal Flaw, which scrutinized the evidence available in the Zeigler case at that time. Richard Haynes, a Criminal Defense lawyer from Huston, Texas, wrote on the blurb…
‘Fatal Flaw’ should be required reading for every law student, every lawyer, every member of the U.S. Supreme Court. This unforgettable book will shock even those who already know the process that leads to execution can be cruel, stupid, and dead wrong!’
The vision of this case being examined by law students has at last awakened for Tommy Zeigler! Wouldn’t it be magnificent if it became required reading for every member of the U.S. Supreme Court!
To all who have brought and are continuing to bring evidence into the public arena – we simply cannot thank you enough!
Fantastic!
As the Under-Sheriff of Orange County when this crime was committed, & who doubted Mr. Zeigler’s guilt from Christmas Day, 1975, when I first visited the crime scene – I am especially pleased that your collaboration with the Penn State students & Prof. Ristenbatt has produced unimpeachable & unbiased conclusions regarding Mr. Zeigler’s non-guilt. Over the years, as more & more relevant facts were revealed about the State’s conduct of this case, I came to be even more concerned with the “crime-in-the-courthouse” than the tragedies in the furniture store!
This report, along with Phil Finch’s book, “Fatal Flaw” should be mandatory reading by all who seek to serve the justice system of this nation!
Respectfully
Leigh
Thank, Leigh! Your support in this case is priceless. Now let’s hope that this review by an independent party of a completely different generation, opens people’s eyes for the truth. V
Thanks Ros & Paul! Spread the news and stay tuned for more!
Evie, thank you. I appreciate the support on your blog and of course, here and on Twitter. As fast as time flies for us, time has stood still for Tommy Zeigler for the past 30+ years. Let’s hope that we can bring this case to life again and resolve it, once and for all! V
We who have followed this miscarriage of justice for years – some for decades – are not surprised at the conclusions reached by the Forensics students, but wonder how these clear facts can get through to the State who ‘has ears to hear but does not hear’.
This is not a mere intellectual exercise! There is an innocent man existing in a 6 x 9 ft cell for 35 years! I was about to say ‘wasting his life away’ but thankfully that isn’t true. An exceptional human being, full of faith and kindness, Tommy has recently written: ‘I bear no ill will to anyone. I just want the truth to come out.’
So do we all, Tommy!
Vidocq, you’re very welcome. I whole heartedly agree with you. As I have said on my blog, Tommy Zeigler’s independent review plays an important part in the course of true justice. And true justice plays an important part in keeping the peoples’ faith in the justice system. We live in hope!
I hope there is some way to that more media attention can be brought to bear, using these latest results, so that Tommy Zeigler’s 30+ nightmare can finally come to a close!
Dear S,
If you have a blog, post and link to DCC. If you have a contact with your local media, email them the link. Or, call your congress men or any celebrity you know who can get through to the folks in Florida!
Thanks Vickie,
Let us hope more people are listening now and that one with guts will set the right wheels into motion! V
Hang in there Mr. Tommy, there are so many people trying to help. You keep praying, we’ll keep fighting. We won’t give up on you, please do you part and don’t give up on us.
Dear Christine,
I will forward the message to Tommy and am sure that he appreciates that people do care what happens to him and the case. The DNA hearing is August 19 at 130pm in Orlando, FL. If you can, contact some local media or your congress men and if you have a blog, link to the posts on DCC to give Tommy’s case maximum exposure.
Thanks, Vidster
@ C Thompson Cooper:
Vidster, and other readers, may not realize that you are the daughter of former Oakland Police Chief Robert Thompson.
You are such a brave and special lady to show your support to Tommy despite the personal heartache you must feel. I know Tommy greatly appreciates all you have done to help. This study is one more evidence of a terrible injustice that you are helping to make right.
We can only endorse what Gail has just posted here. You are indeed a very brave and special lady, and an answer to our prayers. Our heart felt admiration and thanks go out to you, too.
Thanks, Gail, for pointing this out. It is indeed bitter sweet to know that it is a relative who might have had a hand into disaster. To come forward like this, is more than brave.
Thank you, Christine, for doing this, Vidster