Significance For The Anti-death Penalty Movement
Coleman's case was the second instance in U.S. history where DNA evidence was examined after the person in question had been executed.
Supporters who believed Coleman's innocence had expected DNA tests to exonerate Coleman. Some death penalty opponents also believed that evidence of an innocent man's execution would have a profound impact on the death penalty debate in the United States, and help accelerate a growing reluctance to use execution. However, the results prompted death penalty supporters to argue that Coleman's case instead showed that proper safeguards were in place.
Read more about this topic: Roger Keith Coleman
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“Of what significance the light of day, if it is not the reflection of an inward dawn?—to what purpose is the veil of night withdrawn, if the morning reveals nothing to the soul? It is merely garish and glaring.”
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“The penalty may be removed, the crime is eternal.”
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