Note: This story originally made headlines in May 2015.

Tennessee death row inmate Marlon Kiser, convicted for the 2001 murder of Deputy Donald Bond, has long insisted he was framed by his former roommate, James Michael Chattin. According to the *Times Free Press*, Kiser claimed Chattin had a motive: an alleged affair between Bond and Chattin’s wife, Tina. On his website, Kiser wrote, “Chattin had threatened to kill the deputy,” and later blamed him to avoid suspicion.

Kiser also claimed he kicked Chattin out over drug use and said Chattin had once asked him to kill the deputy, further suggesting a motive. He launched a petition for release, arguing he was a victim of “police corruption” and had been targeted due to his knowledge of Chattin’s crimes.

However, efforts to prove his innocence backfired. Forensic tests on a flashlight and vehicle tied to the murder revealed Kiser’s palm and fingerprints, undermining his claims. Fiber evidence from Bond’s clothing also matched Kiser.

While Kiser continues to deny guilt, the physical evidence increasingly supports his conviction.