Top court agrees to hear two cases

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court Monday agreed to hear whether a state prisoner can access DNA evidence when appealing his conviction by filing a civil rights claim.

The court also agreed it would decide whether a seaman could sue for punitive damages if the shop owner or operator refused to pay benefits after the worker is injured, Scotusblog.com reported.

In the DNA evidence case, District Attorney's Office vs Osborne, William Osborne was charged in Alaska with kidnapping, sexual assault and physical assault. His attorney decided to forgo independent DNA testing of the state's biological evidence. Osborne was convicted and later sought access to the biological evidence for purposes of new DNA testing. The issue the judges will decide is whether a previous court decision created a right of access at trial or whether it can apply in a post-conviction proceeding.

In the second case, Atlantic Sounding, et al vs Townsend, the justices will consider whether an injured seaman may recover punitive damages for the willful failure of his employer to pay a basic living allowance, wages that he otherwise would have earned, and benefits to cover medical expenses.