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"Undoubtedly," said Sullivan, "the jurors were unduly impressed by the mystique of the mathematical demonstration but were unable to assess its relevancy or value." Neither could the defense attorney have been expected to know of the sophisticated rebuttal available to them. Janet Collins is already out of jail, has broken parole and lit out for parts unknown. But Judge Sullivan concluded that Malcolm Collins, who is still in prison at the California Conservation Center, had been subjected to "trial by mathematics" and was entitled to a reversal of his conviction. He could be tried again, but the odds are against it.
* The proof involved is essentially the same as that behind the common parlor trick of betting that in a group of 30 people, at least two will have the same birthday; in that case, the probability is 70%.