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June 01, 2005
Our Big DA
The HPD crime lab is a story that just keeps on giving. Several weeks after the City hired former U.S. Justice Department official Michael Bromwich to lead an internal investigation, the Chronicle has this latest confidence-inspiring piece -- the lab faked results.
Roma Khanna and Steve McVicker's story documents at least 4 instances between 1998 and 2000 where "drylabbing" occurred -- basically, lab results were created without tests ever being done. For an outfit with a bit of a credibility problem, that's gotta make you feel good.
The story reminds us of another player in this drama. Doesn't it also make you feel good that our dear District Attorney, Chuck Rosenthal, has consistently pooh-poohed the importance of the investigation and the shoddy procedures it has uncovered, some of which may have led to wrongful convictions?
Ah, but remember, this is the same DA Rosenthal who, by all accounts, embarassed himself arguing the State of Texas' unsuccessful sodomy case before the U.S. Supreme Court -- and was even rebuked by friendly justice Scalia on his courtroom strategy.
The very same DA Rosenthal, who flouted state law and refused to reimburse the exonerated and pardoned Josiah Sutton, who had the temerity to seek restitution after being wrongly imprisoned for years for a rape he did not commit.
Where is our great District Attorney, now that evidence of crime lab incompetence and dereliction of duty mounts -- evidence that may affect many of his office's prosecutions?
Maybe he's taking the year off, like his fellow Republicans in the State Legislature.
Posted by houtopia at June 1, 2005 11:39 PM