ErinE Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 His prosecutor, who withheld evidence supporting innocence, gets disbarred, 10 days in jail, and fined $500. According to new reports, it's the first time on record a former prosecutor is going to jail for such a crime. I think it's criminal his sentence is so light. Here's the story: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/08/21373060-ex-texas-prosecutor-first-in-history-to-be-jailed-for-withholding-evidence Background on the case: http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/innocent-man-part-two?fullpage=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Lea Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 I do too. So sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Another wonderful example of why I'm against plea bargaining. No dang way he should have gotten off so light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinE Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 Another wonderful example of why I'm against plea bargaining. No dang way he should have gotten off so light. I don't think a jury would have given such a light sentence. The former prosecutor probably knew the prosecuting attorney and the sentencing judge. I don't think the scales of justice are evenly balanced here: losing his son and his in-laws plus 25 years prison vs. 10 days and a minimal fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 I am glad to hear of the prosecutor being held accountable but I agree with those who say the sentence was too light. At least it sets a precedent for the prosecutor to be held accountable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 I spent a long time reading both parts of that two part long story. I am sickened that the prosecutor got off so lightly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamzanne Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Thanks for linking this. I spent the day reading the Texas Monthly story off and on. It is incredibly well done, but makes me sick to my stomach. I agree with the pp . . . it is unfathomable that we still execute prisoners when the exoneration rates are what they are. The abuse of positions of power at this magnitude is sickening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 What's even more shocking, given crimes against the defendent of this magnitude occur, is that people are still put to death. Hard to release a dead, innocent man. I agree - what if he had been sentenced to death?!?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I think that's why he and the family insisted the man who was convicted this March for killing his wife not face the death penalty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 On a related note, watch any of the 48 Hours shows on Ryan Ferguson. Last week an appeals court vacated his murder conviction because the prosecution didn't share everything with his defense team. None of the evidence from the crime scene could be linked to him, and the witnesses whose testimony got him convicted have both since recanted and said the DAs pressured them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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