Ray Krone
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Ray Krone, a postman, was a regular customer at the CBS Lounge restaurant and was convicted of murdering Kim Ancona, 36, a bar manager who worked there. The crime occurred in Phoenix, Arizona on December 29, 1991. Krone was sentenced to death. Krone had an alibi and his 10-1/2 shoe size did not match the 9-1/2 size shoe print left at murder scene. Hairs and partial fingerprints found did not match Krone either. The killer left a bite mark on the victim, which allegedly matched Krone's teeth.
Krone was dubbed the "Snaggletooth Killer" because one of his top front teeth stuck out. Dr. Raymond Rawson, a nationally known forensic odontologist, testified that he was 100% certain that bite mark on the victim matched Krone. A retrial jury convicted Krone again in 1996 despite defense testimony from three forensic dentists. This time the judge sentenced him to life in prison, citing doubts about whether Krone was the killer. In 2001, DNA testing of blood found on victim was matched to the actual killer, Kenneth Phillips, and Krone was released after serving 10 1/3 years.
It was later learned that prior to the second trial the prosecuting attorney was personally told by two of the country’s most respected dental forensic experts that there was “no way” the teeth marks on Ancona’s body were made by Krone. The experts asserted the prosecution’s dental expert was absolutely wrong to identify Krone as the source of the bite marks. Not only did the prosecutor not inform the defense of this exculpatory information, but he proceeded with seeking the death penalty.
In 2004, Krone came to the attention of the TV show Extreme Makeover, and agreed to a makeover that included the replacement of five of his front teeth. The program documenting his transformation was broadcast in February 2005. In April 2005, Krone was awarded $1.4 million by Maricopa County and in September he was awarded $3 million by the city of Phoenix. In Feb 2006, the Arizona Legislature publicly apologized to him.
Krone graduated from Dover Area High School in 1974.
