Pennsylvania v. Han-Tak Lee—21 Years to Correct a Miscarriage

The chapter details the case of Han-Tak Lee, a Korean immigrant wrongfully convicted of arson and murder in 1990. The 1989 fire occurred at a religious camp in Pennsylvania, where Lee's mentally ill daughter died. Despite a lack of physical evidence, Lee was convicted based on flawed fire investigation techniques and questionable expert testimony. Key issues in the case included: Misinterpretation of fire patterns and behavior Unrealistic calculations of fuel consumption and burning times Exaggerated claims of investigator experience Mishandling and misrepresentation of chemical evidence The author spent 21 years working to overturn Lee's conviction. He challenged the prosecution's expert testimony, re-analyzed evidence, and exposed inconsistencies in the state's case. In 2014, a federal judge finally granted Lee a new trial, citing the unreliability of the original fire science evidence. Lee was released in August 2014 after serving nearly 25 years in prison. The case has since become a significant reference in legal discussions about the use of scientific evidence in criminal trials, particularly in arson investigations. It highlights the importance of updating legal practices as scientific understanding evolves.