The truth about the DNA evidence

James Broadnax's supporters often cite the lack of DNA evidence on the murder weapon as absolving him of any role in the crime. However, they never address the context of why.

After the murders, James Broadnax and Demarius Cummings wiped the gun clean of fingerprints using a rag later found in the stolen car. They then drove to the apartment of the man they had obtained it from, John Calhoun.

Calhoun stated that the two men brought him the weapon and told him he needed to "hang on to it." Cummings pulled the pistol from a black duffle bag to hand it off. This exchange is why Cummings' DNA remained on the weapon.

Additionally, in the trunk of the stolen car were two white towels with red stains, a pair of blood-covered shoes, a duffle bag, and a pair of gloves. Cummings' DNA was found inside the pockets of Steve Swan — meaning he was not wearing gloves at the time. This makes it substantially more likely that Broadnax was wearing the gloves when he fired the weapon.

The police report further establishes the following:

• The front and back pockets of Steve Swan were turned inside out.
• Only Cummings' DNA was found inside those pockets.
• Next to Steve's body was his wallet. His bank cards, cash, and license was removed.

These exact details of the crime scene were verified by both men in their original confession.

Based on these facts, are we to believe that Cummings shot both men, then ran to their bodies and methodically reached into every pocket — including rolling the body over, flipping out the back pockets, pulling out his wallet and taking his cards and cash — all while holding a gun, with Broadnax simply standing there watching?

Or did it happen the way they originally confessed: Broadnax shot the two men, Cummings went through their pockets, and they drove off in Swan's car."

Interestingly, in some of his original appeals, Broadnax claimed the DNA/serology evidence was "damning" and "central to his conviction" — arguing aggressively to have it thrown out on a technicality, specifically that the serologist who prepared the report never testified in person. However, Broadnax's DNA was not found on the murder weapon, not in the victim's pocket, and not on any other tested item. Cummings' DNA was found inside Swan's pants pocket, and Butler's DNA was present in blood splatter on Cummings' Nike tennis shoes — consistent with Cummings' role in looting the bodies while Broadnax was the shooter. The physical evidence matched exactly to the story Broadnax gave reporters.