Man Wins New Trial in 1983 Murder Case
A Los Angeles man convicted in 1983 of first-degree murder won a new trial Monday because prosecutors did not tell a jury that their key witness, a jailhouse informant, got special treatment in return for his testimony.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Cowell ordered the new trial for Kenneth N. Tillman, 39, saying the testimony of informant Michael Dawson had “compromised” the case and “undermined confidence in the outcome of this trial.”
Cowell sent Tillman back to County Jail and set a July 16 hearing to allow prosecutors time to decide whether to appeal the ruling, pursue a new trial or drop the charges.
Tillman was convicted in April 1983 of the 1982 slaying of Orlando Olden. He was sentenced to 25 years to life behind bars.
During the trial, Dawson testified that Tillman confessed to killing Olden because of an unpaid debt of $75 or $150. Olden’s bedsheet-wrapped body was found behind a South-Central Los Angeles church, strangled with extension cords.
On the stand, Dawson was asked by prosecutors whether he received a reward or inducement for testifying.
He answered: “No.”
In fact, Dawson was released from custody on a felony burglary charge about two weeks before testifying against Tillman. Two days after he testified, prosecutors said they were dropping a felony drug possession case against him.
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