Repository Collection 03
Witness for the Prosecution: SBI Lab Loyal to Law Enforcement
SUPPLEMENTAL ARTICLE SOURCE ENTRY
Last Revised • July 4, 2026
This supplemental newspaper article provides additional reporting concerning SBI forensic analyst Brenda Bissette and the broader concerns regarding forensic reporting practices within the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory. Although not directly cited by title in the Supplemental Motion, this source independently documents the laboratory environment, analyst conduct, and systemic concerns discussed throughout Statement of Facts A, providing additional context and verification for the allegations presented.
Related SMAR Citation
Supports paragraphs 18 - 19 introducing Brenda Bissette and her involvement in May’s case.
Source Name
Witness for the prosecution: SBI lab loyal to law enforcement
Author(s)
Mandy Locke and Joseph Neff
Publication
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Publication Date
Aug. 12, 2010
Verification Source
Star News Online
Source Location
Star News Online
Highlighted Pages
1 - 10
Referenced in the Supplemental Motion
Page 14, Paragraphs 18–19
Source Status
✔ Article recovered, reviewed, and verified
✔ Relevant statement highlighted
✔ Publicly available source
✔ Included within the Source Verification Archive
Cited to Support
Lyle C. May alleges that SBI Agent Brenda Bissette's forensic testimony in the Defendant's trial should be evaluated in light of documented deficiencies within the SBI Crime Laboratory and Bissette's prior forensic misconduct. The News & Observer investigation is cited to document that the SBI Crime Laboratory operated in a prosecution-oriented environment, that independent experts criticized laboratory practices as lacking scientific neutrality, and that Brenda Bissette was removed from laboratory duties after a significant DNA analysis error in the Leslie Lincoln case. May relies upon this source to support his argument that Brenda Bissette's forensic testimony and reporting practices warrant heightened scrutiny in evaluating the reliability of the forensic evidence presented in his Buncombe County prosecution arising from the July 1997 murders in Asheville, North Carolina.
Supporting Documents
Original Article
Link to the original article.
Highlighted Research Copy
Working research copy containing the highlighted passages cited in the Supplemental Motion.
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