Norfolk Four Case Takes New Turn as Convicted Cop's Own Guilt Raises Doubts

Lawyers for the ''Norfolk Four'' argue that the recent conviction of Virginia police officer Robert Glenn Ford provides new evidence of the men's wrongful conviction in the 1997 murder case of Michelle Moore-Bosko. Ford, who investigated the case and obtained confessions from the sailors, was convicted of extortion and lying to the FBI, raising questions about his motives and methods. Despite the fact that the Norfolk Four received partial pardons in 2009, their convictions still stand, and their lawyers now argue that they should be overturned.

Key Takeaways:

• The conviction of Robert Glenn Ford, a police officer who investigated the Norfolk Four case, raises doubts about the men's guilt and provides new evidence that they were wrongly convicted.
• Ford's conviction for extortion and lying to the FBI suggests that he had a motive to manipulate the justice system and continue pursuing the case, despite DNA evidence linking the crime to another man, Omar Ballard.
• The fact that Ford was previously caught trying to elicit false confessions from juveniles raises concerns about his reliability and integrity as a detective.
• The Norfolk Four, including Danial J. Williams, Joseph Dick Jr., Derek Tice, and Eric Wilson, received partial pardons in 2009 but still face consequences, including wearing ankle bracelets, being registered sex offenders, and having dishonorable discharges from the Navy.
• Donald P. Salzman, a lawyer for Danial J. Williams, argues that Ford's conviction is new information that substantially changes the facts of his client's case and should lead to a full exoneration.

Statistics:

• 1997: The year in which Michelle Moore-Bosko was murdered and the Norfolk Four were convicted.
• 2003: The year in which Robert Glenn Ford's extortion and lying to the FBI charges began.
• 2009: The year in which the Norfolk Four received partial pardons.
• 38: The age of Danial J. Williams, one of the former sailors who is still trying to overturn his conviction.
• 4: The number of former sailors, including the Norfolk Four, who are seeking to overturn their convictions.
• 1: The number of lawyers, Donald P. Salzman, who argue that Ford's conviction is new information that substantially changes the facts of his client's case.

Sources:

• [Associated Press]
• [Federal Bureau of Investigation]
• [Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom]
• [Steve Helber/Associated Press]