Michael Chapel, a former Gwinnett County Police officer serving a life sentence since 1993 for the murder of Emogene Thompson, could be facing new challenges as his defense unveils alleged evidence of his innocence wrapped in contradiction. According to 11Alive, his lawyer, Billy Rennie, is banking on a habeas corpus petition, banking on newly unsealed evidence which they say proves Chapel's innocence.
Chapel, convicted for the killing of Thompson who was found in her car with her purse missing, has maintained he did not commit the crime, stating he was at a firehouse when the incident occurred, his alibi supported by witnesses at the location, however, then-District Attorney Danny Porter argued Chapel could have still made it to the crime scene to commit the murder. New developments have emerged as 13WMAZ reports Rennie has brought forth evidence from the 1993 police corruption investigation, suggesting someone else could have been framed Chapel.
In a twist that could undercut the defense's claim, a tape from 1994 was located by 11Alive containing an interview with Jermaine Rogers, a witness, who initially claimed to have seen a different officer at the murder scene. However, the tape does not corroborate his latest testimony. Instead, it shows Rogers not mentioning witnessing the murder directly but does reference Chapel in some 'nefarious dealings'.
Rennie remains undeterred by the tape's content, telling 11Alive, "The interview video does nothing to change our position in this case, we remain confident that Mr. Chapel will be vindicated once a judge has heard our case in full." There was no record of an initial police interview with Rogers, noted Rennie, suggesting possible misconduct in the handling of the case. Porter, reached for comment on why the tape was not used in the original trial, said he could not recall but mentioned the tape was always accessible to the defense.
Chapel, meanwhile, is waiting for what he hopes to be the truth's ultimate revelation. In November 2022, he expressed to 11Alive from prison, "Somebody with authority will do the right thing and I'll be home with my family very soon, I think, the truth will be known in the end." His current appeal may hinge on this recently discovered tape and the unresolved questions it has raised.
