1990 thru 2004
Important Events in the Life of Jeffrey MacDonald
| October 18, 1990 | The defense files a habeas corpus petition for MacDonald, charging prosecutor Murtagh with suppression of evidence. |
| December 31, 1990 | The FBI Lab issues a report detailing re-examination of evidence, including debris from the murder club. Agent Michael Malone lists unsourced black wool fibers, but not pajama top fibers, as being on the club. |
| February 19, 1991 | Murtagh signs an affadavit swearing he had no knowledge at trial of the existence of the black wool fibers. |
| March 27, 1991 | MacDonald becomes eligible for parole. He refuses a hearing, maintaining his innocence. |
| April 16, 1991 | The Supreme Court’s ruling in the case McClesky vs Zant, heavily restricts a defendant’s ability to get back into court, even with evidence of actual innocence. |
| June 26, 1991 | Judge DuPree listens to oral arguments for a new trial based on the suppressed lab notes. |
| July 1, 1991 | Jeff MacDonald is transferred to FCI Sheridan, OR |
| July 8, 1991 | Judge Dupree denies the motion for a new trial, petitioned on October 19, 1990. |
| October 3, 1991 | The defense appeals Judge DuPree’s ruling. |
| June 2, 1992 | The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals rules against a new trial for MacDonald. They stated that the materials now introduced should have been presented by Brian O’Neill in 1984-85. Therefore, all rights to further appeals were forfeited. |
| November 30, 1992 | The Supreme Court declines to review the lower court’s decision. |
| April 16, 1993-Jan 3, 1994 | Former MacDonald prosecutor James Blackburn is disbarred, is indicted on 12 felony counts including changing court documents, and is sentenced to 7 years in federal prison. |
| January 19, 1994 | Colette’s mother, Mildred dies at age 72. |
| October 24, 1994 | Colette’s step-father, Alfred Kassab, dies at age 73. |
| February 15, 1995 | Potter and Bost’s book FATAL JUSTICE is published. |
| December 17, 1995 | Judge DuPree dies at age 83. |
| May 1, 1996 | FOIA attorney Anthony Besceglie uncovers 1400 new pages of case documents, despite government claims that all information had been previously released to the defense. Michael Malone’s report stating he found no pajama top fibers on the club is found. |
| April 16, 1997 | The Wall Street Journal runs a front page story detailing misconduct by Michael Malone in a number of cases, including the MacDonald case. |
| April 22, 1997 | Attorneys Silverglate & Good file a new appeal based on Malone’s faulty testimony. Part of the appeal requests DNA testing of all biological evidence. |
| April 25, 1997 | Judge Malcolm Howard recuses himself as DuPree’s replacement, because he helped draft a memorandum for the prosecution in earlier court proceedings against MacDonald. Judge James C. Fox, who was a personal friend of Judge DuPree’s, and gave the eulogy at his funeral, takes the case, and signs a statement saying that he can be impartial despite his friendship with DuPree. |
| October 17, 1997 | Judge Fox has denied all defense motions, but the Fourth Circuit Court of appeals grants one defense motion- the motion for DNA testing. |
| 1997-2002 | MacDonald remains in prison in Oregon, awaiting the DNA testing and results (see DNA Timeline for details). He teaches classes to prisoners, studies his medical books, and in 2001, becomes engaged to Kathryn Kurichh, a long time friend. |
| August 30, 2002 | Jeffrey and Kathryn MacDonald are married. |
| May, 2003 | Jeff is transferred to FCI Cumberland, MD, within 500 miles of his home of record, per Bureau of Prisons guidelines. |
| May 2004 | The defense awaits completion of DNA testing. |
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