Hearing on DNA in 'Fatal Vision' case set for August

Fort Bragg, N.C. — A hearing on new DNA testing in the "Fatal Vision" murder case at Fort Bragg more than 40 years ago has been rescheduled for August.

Jeffrey MacDonald was convicted of killing his pregnant wife and two young daughters in 1970. He is serving a federal prison sentence for the murders.

His lawyers say he deserves a new trial because of unidentified DNA recovered from the scene and allegations that a prosecutor coerced a witness into lying. The forensic technology to test DNA did not exist in the 1970s.

MacDonald has steadfastly maintained his innocence, claiming that he and his family were attacked by three men and a woman with long blonde hair, a floppy hat and boots who carried a lighted candle and chanted "acid is groovy; kill the pigs."

The case inspired the true crime book "Fatal Vision."

Defense attorneys want to depose several witnesses, but prosecutors have said the depositions will be too costly and time-consuming.

The evidentiary hearing will be held Aug. 20 in Wilmington.

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OH MY GOD!!!!! AGAIN????? REALLY???? This convicted felon killed his pregnant wife, his unborn son, his beautiful daughter Kimberly and his other baby daughter Kristen!!! I lived at Ft. Bragg when this happened..have followed it from afar all these years. I read McDonald's book..I read Joe McGinnis' book. I saw the movie. I saw the lifetime specials and all the documentaries. I have researched over the years. I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the investigating MP's from that night and to one of the investigators. It is now..and ALWAYS has been.. my opinion..that he is guilty of killing his family. He is a creep. My dad was SF too..at FT BRAGG at that time..He knew McDonald. Said he was a egotistical nut with a huge ego!! He thinks he can schmooz his way out of prison since it has been such a long time. Ha!! His wife and kids are still serving their life sentence and he should too. Hope he rots there!!!!

JoannaCampbell
July 5, 2012 3:58 p.m.

prosecutors have said the depositions will be too costly and time-consuming. A guy has been in prison for 40 years for something he may not have done and the prosecutors say it's to costly to find out the real truth?

kermit60
July 3, 2012 8:44 a.m.