by TChris

The man who raped and murdered Michelle Moore-Bosko in Norfolk told the police he acted alone. Despite the absence of physical evidence to the contrary, the police and prosecution pursued four other men, all serving in the Navy. After being threatened with the death penalty, the men confessed. The true killer, Omar Ballard, "changed his tune and supported the gang-rape story -- and authorities spared him the death penalty, too."

Police never seem to have had much evidence of a gang rape -- other than confessions that took place when one suspect after the next was threatened with capital punishment. Indeed, charges had to be dropped against three other sailors who stood their ground and didn't confess. The physical evidence at the scene indicated a single attacker.

Ballard -- whose DNA confirmed his presence at the crime scene -- has now reverted to his original story, admitting that he acted alone. The four convicted sailors say they're innocent, that they were coerced to confess to avoid execution. The state parole board is investigating, but as this editorial suggests, it may take an act of bravery on the part of Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine to set aside these troubling convictions.