U.S. Supreme Court Greineder Decision Explained

Dirk Greineder, the once-renowned allergist who was convicted of the murder of his wife in 2001, could have another day in court.

The United States Supreme Court remanded his case back to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court based on a recent decision regarding DNA.

The Norfolk County District Attorney’s office issued the following press release regarding the case Friday:

On June 29, 2001, Dirk Greineder was convicted of the first-degree murder of his wife May on Oct. 31, 1999 in Wellesley.

On Nov. 4, 2010, the Supreme Judicial Court rejected the defendant’s claims on direct appeal, including claims regarding DNA testimony, and affirmed the conviction.

The defendant filed a petition for certiorari with the United States Supreme Court on the sole issue of DNA testimony. On June 29, 2012, the Supreme Court remanded the case back to the Supreme Judicial Court for its further consideration in light of Williams v. Illinois. In Williams, the Supreme Court held that an expert DNA witness may give her opinion based on facts concerning the events at issue even if the expert lacks first-hand knowledge of those facts without violating the defendant’s right to confront his accusers.

Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said he “respects the United States Supreme Court’s decision and is hopeful that the Supreme Judicial Court reaffirms the conviction.”

David Traub, director of communications for the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, added the following in an e-mail to Wellesley Patch:

[B]ecause the US Supreme Court vacated the SJC’s decision affirming the conviction and sent it back for reconsideration, some action is indicated on the SJC’s part. That could be a re-examination and re-affirmation (or other action) based on the information and briefs already filed, it may request a re-brief and/or re-hearing before taking the action it deems appropriate.