WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court has heard arguments in a case about DNA testing that could prolong a Texas death row inmate's appeals or lead quickly to his execution.
The justices did not indicate which outcome is more likely Wednesday when they took up the case of Hank Skinner, who was convicted of killing his girlfriend and her two sons nearly 17 years ago.
DNA evidence at his trial showed that blood on his clothing was from at least two of the victims, but Skinner wants access to other evidence that has never been tested, including two knives found at the crime scene and the fingernail clippings of his girlfriend.
Skinner is trying to use a federal civil rights law to force the local prosecutor to turn over the evidence.
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