The Case of Jeffrey MacDonald

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the case of Jeffrey MacDonald who was convicted in the United States of the brutal murders of his wife and children. It looks at the investigative process and shows how the process reveals several serious errors, which made it virtually impossible for the police to locate any other suspects. The paper claims that perhaps there was not enough evidence to definitely claim that MacDonald was not the actual perpetrator of the murders.

From the Paper:

"However, the incompetent investigation, on its own, may not have been enough to ensure MacDonald's conviction. It is important to understand that the police and the prosecution work as a unit. The prosecution was convinced of MacDonald's guilt and worked diligently to make sure that exculpatory evidence was never presented to the jury. While it may seem that the police had no responsibility for how the evidence was used, that assumption is simply not true. Many of the investigating officers and laboratory technicians were aware that the prosecution was attempting to suppress exculpatory evidence. In fact, there were notes in files, indicating that they were aware of this bias. The individual officers should have been less complacent and should have done everything they could have done, including going to the defense; to make sure that the defendant was aware of exculpatory evidence. Unfortunately, given the presiding judge's apparent bias, even defense knowledge about the exculpatory evidence may not have resulted in a not-guilty verdict. While the incompetent investigation contributed to MacDonald's conviction, it may not have led to an inevitable conviction. However, the incompetent investigation, biased judge, and dishonest prosecution made MacDonald's conviction a certainty. It remains to be seen whether MacDonald will ever receive an opportunity for all of the evidence to be weighed in a criminal court of law."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Boston, J. (2007). Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald. Retrieved August 8, 2007 from Crime Library Web site: http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/family/jmacdonald/1.html
• MacDonald Defense Committee. (2004). Case Facts. Retrieved August 8, 2007 from The MacDonald Case Web site: http://www.themacdonaldcase.org/Case_Facts.html
• Potter, J. and F. Bost (2000). Fatal justice: reinvestigating the MacDonald murders. Retrieved August 8, 2007 from Fatal Justice Web site: http://www.fataljustice.com

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