ABOUT dR. sPENCE
Click on button above for a PDF of Curriculum Vitae.
BLOG: On January 3, 2012, Dr. Michael J. Spence launched his blog, DNA TECHNOLOGY AND OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. Please consider stopping by and taking a look.
BACKGROUND: Dr. Spence received his Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in 1983 and 1985, respectively. He earned his Doctorate in Molecular Biology from New Mexico State University (NMSU) in 1990. Dr. Spence continued as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at the University of Vermont, Department of Molecular Genetics. He then moved on to work as a Research Assistant at the V.A. Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. During his work in Boise, Dr. Spence secured funding for a five-year independent research project focusing on an anti-cancer cytokine called oncostatin M.
In May 2003, after over 20 years of research and 14 publications in scientific journals, Dr. Spence began his efforts as a Forensic Biologist with the Indiana State Police - Evansville Laboratory. Over the course of four years, he completed forensic biology/DNA examinations corresponding to over 100 criminal cases and testified as an expert witness in 16 felony trials.
SPENCE FORENSIC RESOURCES (SFR):On February 25, 2008, Dr. Spence launched Spence Forensic Resources (SFR) in Las Cruces, New Mexico. As of July 2011, he has reviewed over 450 criminal case files. Representing SFR, Dr. Spence has testified in 22 criminal case proceedings. Among those proceedings are the following verdicts:
-
State of New Mexico v. Juantio Becenti, November 28, 2008 testimony, Aztec, NM: Counsel for prosecution withdrew from the case prior to jury deliberation.
-
State of Maryland v. Larry Wooden, March 3, 2009 trial, Baltimore, MD: Counsel for prosecution decided to eliminate all biological/DNA aspects of the case. Defendant was subsequently found not guilty of first and second degree murder. Jury found defendant guilty of gun possession.
-
U.S.A. v. Seth Hornedeagle, April 9, 2009 testimony in U.S. Federal Court, Las Cruces, NM: Defendant found not guilty and immediately released.
-
State of New Mexico v. Fernando Coyazo, May 8, 2009 testimony, Alamogordo, NM: Defendant was found not guilty and immediately released.
-
State of Maryland v. Gary Leon Holloway, March 9, 2010 trial, Frederick, MD: Attempted homicide case was dismissed due to questionable eye witnesses and misinterpretation of DNA results.
-
State of New Mexico v. Danny Rascon, June 18, 2010 testimony, Alamogordo, NM: Defendant was found not guilty and immediately released.
-
U.S.A. v. Theodore Largo, July 28, 2010 testimony in U.S. Federal Court, Albuquerque, NM: Defendant found not guilty and immediately released.
-
State of Maryland v. Alonzo Jay King, Jr., September 27, 2011 trial, Baltimore, MD: Defendant found not guilty on all counts and immediately released.
Of particular interest is the case, U.S.A. versus Theodore Largo, case No. 08-CR-02830-JCH, Albuquerque, N.M. 7/26/10 through 7/29/10, Judge: The Honorable Judith C. Herrera. Counsel for the defense was Steve Aarons - Santa Fe, New Mexico. This case is described in more detail at the SFR web page entitled: 'Most Fascinating Cases'
Various INTERNET ARTICLES have have summarized the efforts of Dr. Michael Spence as a Forensic DNA Consultant/Expert Witness.
Dr. Spence is a native of New Mexico. He enjoys golf, the unique cuisine of his home state, and volunteering his time to provide forensic DNA technology PRESENTATIONS to students at the elementary, secondary, and college levels. On various occasions, Dr. Spence has provided interviews as a guest on the statewide radio program: NEWS NEW MEXICO.
--Michael J. Spence, Ph.D.
Visit us at:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIEW THESE SFR LINKS:--Trial Prep---Expert Witness---Resources---Org's---Favorites---Brochure---WM3---Just In---Dirty---Scam---Articles---My Blog
