NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- A Virginia judge has refused to overturn the murder convictions of two men who said they were framed by a corrupt police detective in Norfolk.
Circuit Judge Everett A. Martin Jr. found evidence from detective Robert Glenn Ford was not critical to the convictions and death sentences of Thomas Porter and Anthony Juniper, The Virginian-Pilot reported. Ford was an investigator and witness in both cases.
Ford, who retired in 2007, was found guilty in October of extortion and lying to investigators.
Juniper was convicted in 2005 of killing his ex-girlfriend, her brother and her two young daughters. Porter was sentenced to death in 2007 for shooting Norfolk Police Officer Stanley Reaves.
The judge said DNA evidence tied Juniper to his crime, while Porter admitted during trial he killed Reaves.
Ford is best known for his role in the conviction of the "Norfolk Four," sailors found guilty of the rape and murder of a Navy wife. Former Gov. Tim Kaine commuted their sentences because of doubt about their guilt.
An investigation by the PBS show "Frontline" suggested Ford obtained false confessions from the men during lengthy interrogations.
