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Louis Clinton Thomas (aka Louis Mickens) was convicted of the rape and murder of a 12-year-old Edith Connor.  His conviction was based solely on the testimony of criminalist Agnes Mallatratt who worked at the Philadelphia crime lab.  Mallatratt testified to finding microscopic wax and bristle particles on the body similar to particles found in Lou's home.  The body was found in a debris-strewn alley behind and three houses down from Lou's shoe repair shop at 1109 N. 40th St.  The particles which were created in shoe repair work could presumably have blown down the alley from the shop.  No tests were done to prove otherwise.

Mallatratt testified that she was a graduate of Temple University; had done postgraduate work in zoology, biology, and botany; and that she was a hematologist.  Following trial, in 1967, she admitted she had not even graduated junior high school.  At Lou's retrial in 1969, Mallattrat's retired supervisor vouched for the veracity of her work, but neither of Lou's two juries knew that the person who collected and analyzed the evidence was a serial perjurer and a professional fraud.

In 1995 on his last day in office, Governor Casey reviewed 25 petitions but granted only Lou's petition for clemency.  Incoming Governor Tom Ridge (later U.S. Director of Homeland Security) had vowed never to release a lifer and refused to honor the granted clemency.  Nine years went by before a federal judge reversed the usurpation of Lou's constitutional right to clemency and ordered his immediate release.

Clemency is not a pardon but is the equivalent of parole.  After Lou's release, the parole board wanted Lou to admit to his crime and attend sex offender therapy.  For 40 years, Lou has insisted that he is innocent.  When Lou refused to admit that he was a sex offender, the Parole Board violated him for being a "denier," and threw the 76-year-old man back in prison.  Outraged by the Parole Board's conduct, a Federal Court ordered his release the next day.  (CM) (TruthInJustice)  [5/05]

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