Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

James Koon was convicted in 1996 by a 10/2 jury for allegedly killing an infant that was left alone with him while the mother ran an errand. He was charged with second-degree murder and was given a life sentence for the alleged act. Koon was sent to Angola State Penitentiary, where he contested the dismissal of his August 2013 petition, in which he challenged his 1996 conviction and life sentence. Koon based his petition on evidence allegedly not discoverable prior to 2011. The evidence shows the witness for the state of Louisiana, Dr. Steven Hayne, now-discredited Mississippi coroner, lied ab...