Dr. Dan Krane Explains How DNA Evidence Misleads Juries

A Bermuda murder case unraveled under scrutiny. Julian Washington was convicted of killing Stefan Burgess, jurors persuaded that DNA on bullets was more reliable than any eyewitness. Prosecutors told them the odds were “1 in 46 million” that the DNA belonged to anyone else. With no defense expert to question the analysis, Washington was sentenced to life in prison. He spent ten years behind bars before outside intervention revealed the truth: the DNA interpretation was deeply flawed. Independent expert Dr. Dan Krane uncovered eight major errors, from “suspect-centric” testing to statistical misuse. His findings persuaded the UK’s Privy Council to overturn the conviction and force Bermuda to review more than 400 other cases tied to the same forensic lab. Host Andrew Wildes explores how flawed science and unchecked authority led to a decade lost, the systemic risks wrongful convictions pose in the Caribbean, and why access to independent expertise is essential to protect justice. Content note: References to gun violence, wrongful conviction, imprisonment, and systemic failures in access to justice. Key Themes ➤ DNA evidence as courtroom gold—and why it failed ➤ “Suspect-centric” interpretation and painting the bullseye ➤ Why courts defer to experts, even when they’re wrong ➤ The ripple effect: 400+ cases under review in Bermuda ➤ Access to experts as a safeguard, not a privilege Chapter Breakdown 00:00 — Case opens: Bermuda, Burgess shooting, and arrests 02:30 — DNA emerges as the decisive evidence 05:00 — Prosecution’s claim: 1 in 46 million odds 08:15 — Jury convicts, Washington gets life 11:00 — Appeal court calls the DNA “rock-solid” 13:30 — A decade served before new scrutiny 15:00 — Dr. Dan Krane steps in: eight fatal flaws 17:00 — “Suspect-centric” testing and confirmation bias 19:30 — Privy Council overturns conviction, orders release 21:00 — Lessons for the Caribbean: experts, access, and justice Brought to you by⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Frequency Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Dr. Dan Krane Dan E. Krane, Ph.D. Dan Krane - Interim Dean, Wright State University More About Andrew Wildes Explore the work of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Andrew Wildes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—Jamaican lawyer, journalist, and host of Stuck: Wrongful Convictions in Jamaica. His mission is to expose systemic injustice, amplify the voices of the wrongfully imprisoned, and drive meaningful legal reform through storytelling and advocacy. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes content, follow Andrew across platforms and join the conversation on justice in Jamaica. Production, Distribution, and Marketing Produced by⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Massif Studio & Production⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Tallawah Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Massif Studio Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Massif on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tallawah Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For inquiries/sponsoring: email ⁠⁠[e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices