A complaint filed with the Wisconsin Department of Justice by Sheila Berry alleges that state arson investigator Gregory Eggum lied about burn tests he claimed proved that a 1998 fire at the Green Bay, WI home of Sandra Maloney was deliberately set. John Maloney, a former Green Bay police detective, was convicted in 1999 of murder and arson in connection with his estranged wife’s death. Berry, an author and director of the non-profit Truth in Justice, says Eggum lied when he claimed polyurethane sofa fill “sustained flame but did not burn.” Berry says the agent committed perjury when he testified that 80-proof vodka—the accelerant Maloney supposedly used to set the fire—burned “very, very clean and very hot.” Berry cites burn tests conducted by James Munger, Ph.D., the report of fire experts that the fire and death were accidental, and admissions made by Eggum to a CBS News producer in support of the complaint.

Evidence that the fire was accidental was not heard by the jury at Maloney’s trial. He is serving a life sentence, and his state court appeals have been exhausted. The Governor’s Office recently denied Maloney’s request to present the fire evidence in a pardon request. CBS 48 Hours will re-broadcast its program about the case, “A Question of Murder,” on July 29, 2006 at 10 p.m. Eastern/9 p.m. Central.


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