UPDATE: Convictions in “Band-Aid Bandit” Case

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On April 12, a jury in Tampa convicted Rafael Angel Rondon of being the "Band-Aid Bandit," suspected in the robberies of 39 banks in nine counties between 2000 and 2006.  Rondon’s brother-in-law, Emeregildo Roman, was also convicted.

The report did not say whether the two alternated in wearing the Band-Aid, or whether Rondon was el Bandito Primero and his brother-in-law just wore one of those little round Band-Aids, to signify his sidekick status.

Defense attorneys argued that authorities had the wrong men, possibly saying something like,  "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, just because my client happens to have a coincidentally located mole, a silver revolver similar to the Bandit’s, car tags that match the getaway car, $90,000 in cash in his house with the robbed bank’s name on the wrappers, and a brother-in-law who also happened to have thousands in cash, disguises and a gun of his own in his home, does not make him the Band-Aid Bandit."

Well, I guess that is all circumstantial evidence.  Still, why not try out some other possible arguments:

  1. Offer a substantial reward for the "real bandits";
  2. Point to the total lack of DNA evidence;
  3. Point to the total lack of similarity with any "Law & Order" plotline; or
  4. Blame society for its cruel discrimination against those with distinctive moles.

Worth a try.

Link: AP via FindLaw.com