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A year-long independent probe of the
Houston Crime Lab has identified 93 DNA and serology cases
having “major issues,” some of which date from 1980. The
findings have already led to the release of two men from prison,
and another questionable case involves an inmate on death row,
according to the Houston Chronicle. National and state innocence
projects are pursuing an additional 45 cases. The Houston lab
has been closed since 2002.
Michael Bromwich, a former federal prosecutor and Department of
Justice Inspector General who is heading the investigation, says
that some of the deficiencies suggest a pattern of analysts
tailoring their findings to fit predetermined crime theories or
suppressing results that conflicted with existing police
theories.
State Rep. Kevin Bailey, Chairman of the House Committee on
General Investigating and Ethics, told the Chronicle “I’m not
sure it was just sloppy work. There may have been some external
pressure (on analysts) and we need to figure that out and to
make sure it never happens again.” Bailey may lend Bromwich his
committee’s subpoena authority in order to compel testimony from
three key employees-–former lab supervisor Don Krueger, former
DNA lab chief James Bolding and former analyst Christy Kim.
The investigative team had reviewed 2,300 cases as of May 2006
when it issued the fifth report. Bromwich has requested an
additional $1.5 million from the city to finish the
investigation, which launched in March 2005 and has already cost
the city $3.8 million. As this e-news went to press the Mayor
had not yet made a decision on additional funding for the
investigation.
Sources:
“45 Crime Lab Cases Will Receive Legal Reviews,” Houston
Chronicle, March 15, 2006.
“93 HPD Lab Cases Under Scrutiny/Investigator’s New Report
Raises Figure from 27,” Houston Chronicle, May 11, 2006.
“Police Lab Tailored Tests to Theories, Report
Says/Investigators Hope to Establish Whether Mistakes were
Deliberate,” Houston Chronicle, May 12, 2006.
“Lab Probe May Get Muscle/Agreement will Let a Texas House Panel
Subpoena Reluctant Witnesses,”” Houston Chronicle, May 13, 2006.
“Endless Scandal/Crime Lab Special Investigator Turns Up More
Tainted Evidence While Questioning Motives of Analysts, Houston
Chronicle, May 16, 2006.
“Deal Lets City Subpoena 3 Lab Workers/Legislator and
Investigator Agree on a Plan to Force Them to Testify,” Houston
Chronicle, May 31, 2006.
“1.5 Million Sought to Finish Lab Probe/Mayor isn’t Sure City
Will Approve Additional Funding,” Houston Chronicle, June 13,
2006.
Web site of the Bromwich investigation team:
www.hpdlabinvestigation.org |
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