Death Row Inmate Who Begged For Untested Fingerprints To Be Tested Before Execution Gets Results Back
Death Row Inmate Claims Innocence—But New Evidence May Do the Opposite. Marlon Kiser, a Tennessee man sentenced to death in 2003 for the murder of Hamilton County Deputy Donald Bond, has long insisted he was framed. He claims that the real killer is his former roommate, James Michael Chattin.
On his website FreeMarlonKiser.com, Kiser outlines his version of events. He alleges that Chattin discovered his wife was having an affair with Deputy Bond and had repeatedly threatened to kill a police officer. According to Kiser, Chattin carried out that threat on September 6, 2001, and then blamed him to divert attention—especially since Kiser had a pending police brutality lawsuit against the Chattanooga Police Department at the time.
Kiser says he had asked Chattin to leave their shared home after discovering his drug use, which may have prompted Chattin to act against him. “In Mike Chattin’s mind, I knew too much,” Kiser wrote. He also claims Chattin once asked him to kill Bond.
To support his innocence, Kiser launched an online petition, which has gained over 470 signatures. Supporters argue that he was targeted due to police corruption and that Chattin had stronger motives.
However, Kiser’s push for post-conviction relief may have backfired. As part of that effort, his attorneys requested fingerprint testing on Bond’s flashlight and car. The results showed Kiser’s fingerprints—further linking him to the crime. Earlier evidence also included fibers from the deputy’s clothing that matched Kiser.
Though he continues to maintain his innocence, the newly confirmed physical evidence complicates Kiser’s claims and may reinforce the original conviction.
