Indiana v. Kristine Bunch—Opening a Cascade of Brady Violations

This chapter details the case of Kristine Bunch, who was wrongfully convicted of murdering her son Anthony in a 1995 house fire in Indiana. Two arson investigators quickly concluded the fire was intentionally set, supported by ATF chemist Dr. William Kinard's finding of heavy petroleum distillate in the bedroom. Bunch was convicted in 1996 and sentenced to 60 years in prison. In 2006, a petition for post-conviction relief (PCR) was filed. Three new experts challenged the arson finding, and a Brady violation was discovered involving Dr. Kinard's undisclosed initial report. In 2012, an appeals court overturned the conviction based on new scientific evidence and the Brady violation. Bunch was released after 17 years in prison. The chapter also discusses similar cases involving Dr. Kinard's questionable findings, including those of Gregory Brown and Daniel Carnevale. It highlights systemic problems in arson investigations and prosecutions, including the use of outdated forensic methods and failures to disclose exculpatory evidence. After her release, Bunch became an advocate for justice reform, working with organizations like the Women's Project and the Innocence Project to prevent wrongful convictions and assist exonerees.