Prosecutors

Defense Lawyer Subpoenas Docs Detailing Prosecutor’s Cash Bonuses for Convictions

A Colorado defense lawyer has filed a motion claiming a prosecutor’s policy of paying bonuses for convictions should result in her office’s ouster in his client’s case. Public defender Stephen McCrohan won more time to subpoena documents about the bonuses in a hearing on Monday, the Denver Post reports. The…

Mar 29, 2011 11:53 AM CDT

Ex-Prosecutor Convertino Can’t Sue for Damages Over DOJ Leak of Ethics Probe, Federal Judge Rules

In a ruling last week that could point the way toward the final chapters of a seven-year litigation saga, the chief U.S. District Court judge in Washington, D.C., granted a summary judgment motion dismissing a damages claim by a former federal prosecutor over the leak of a Department of Justice…

Mar 28, 2011 7:09 PM CDT

No Criminal Charges for Ex-‘I Am the Prize’ DA Accused in Sext Case

A former Wisconsin district attorney who admittedly sent sexually suggestive text messages to a woman whose ex-boyfriend was being prosecuted by his office for domestic violence against her won’t face criminal charges. Investigators looked at whether ex-DA Ken Kratz of Calumet County could be pursued criminally under laws against misconduct…

Mar 28, 2011 5:40 PM CDT

Ex-Prosecutor Faces Legal Ethics Case Concerning His Work on 1990s Capital Murder Trials

Accused by the Oklahoma Bar Association of intentional misconduct in his handling of a 1993 murder case, a former Oklahoma County prosecutor says he did nothing wrong. Brad Miller, who is now 50, is accused in a legal ethics case of using eyewitness testimony that he should have known was…

Mar 28, 2011 3:58 PM CDT

Willie Nelson’s Pot Charge Could be Resolved for a Song, Literally

A West Texas judge assigned to decide a pot charge against Willie Nelson is apparently a big fan. So, too, is the prosecutor, who has proposed a novel plea deal. Judge Becky Dean-Walker demanded that Nelson appear in court, even though marijuana possession charges are usually resolved by mail, County…

Mar 28, 2011 12:22 PM CDT

DA Offers Cash Rewards for Prosecutors Who Hit Conviction Goals

A Colorado district attorney is offering financial incentives for felony prosecutors who meet their goals for conviction rates at trial. Plea bargains and mistrials don’t count in the incentive, and average $1,100 per bonus, according to the Denver Post. The Eighteenth Judicial District’s Carol Chambers says she set up the…

Mar 25, 2011 4:08 PM CDT

A Second Indiana Prosecutor Is Out of a Job for Unusual Advice to Wisconsin Governor

Indiana prosecutors are apparently eager to advise Wisconsin’s governor about how to deal with pro-labor activists, and it’s costing them their jobs. First, it was deputy attorney general Jeffrey Cox, who was fired after suggesting in a tweet that Gov. Scott Walker should “use live ammunition” against protesters. Now it’s…

Mar 25, 2011 11:59 AM CDT

Judge Tosses Indictment of In-House Lawyer Accused in Wellbutrin Probe, Cites Prosecutor Error

A federal judge has dismissed an indictment that had accused a former in-house lawyer of obstructing a probe into Wellbutrin off-label marketing, citing a grand juror’s “elephant in the room” question and a prosecutor’s incorrect response. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Roger Titus of Maryland allows prosecutors to seek…

Mar 24, 2011 5:08 PM CDT

Swift, Stunning Win for Prosecutor on Trial in Political Corruption Case: Judge Axes All Charges

A closely watched trial of an Illinois prosecutor that is believed to be the first in state history to put a sitting district attorney in the defendant’s seat in a felony case has ended with a swift and stunning victory for McHenry County State’s Attorney Louis Bianchi. At the close…

Mar 23, 2011 9:11 PM CDT

We Need Judges to Work Harder, So We Should Pay Them More Money, Lawmaker Says

We need judges to work harder to bring a heavy backlog of undecided cases under control. So we should pay those who step up to the plate and get the job done more money, an influential Florida lawmaker is suggesting. Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, chairs the budget committee and…

Mar 23, 2011 8:49 PM CDT

Did Renowned Journalism Prof Known for Innocence Work Give Evidence Only to the Defense?

Renowned for his work in helping those wrongfully convicted prove their innocence, a high-profile Northwestern University journalism professor is apparently benched from teaching his popular investigative reporting course this spring. David Protess was initially defended by Northwestern when prosecutors in a Cook County, Ill., case contended that they were entitled…

Mar 18, 2011 11:09 PM CDT

As Graffiti Artist Wins Mainstream Success, DA Seeks Injunction Barring Any Profit From His Tag

Cristian Gheorghiu has only paid about $5,000 of the $28,000 in fines he got after being convicted of being one of the most prolific graffiti taggers in Los Angeles. But, as he gains a name in the mainstream art world, it appears the subculture sensation may have a chance of…

Mar 16, 2011 9:05 PM CDT

Motion: Dismiss ‘Tainted’ Case Against Police Sgt Accused in Katrina Danziger Bridge Killings

A defense lawyer says a “tainted” case should be dismissed against a sergeant accused, along with five other current or former New Orleans police officers, in the killing of civilians on Danziger Bridge during Hurricane Katrina, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Federal prosecutors relied on testimony by Sgt. Kenneth Bowen,…

Mar 16, 2011 8:41 PM CDT

Former Top Drug Prosecutor Gets 16 Years in Child Porn Case

A former assistant state attorney general who at one time was the top drug prosecutor in Maine was sentenced today to a 16-year federal prison term in a child pornography case. James Cameron, 48, worked for the AG’s office from 1990 to 2008. Prosecutors, who sought a prison term of…

Mar 11, 2011 12:55 AM CST

A Wisconsin Prosecutor Moves On, Citing State Budget Woes

An assistant district attorney in Wisconsin is citing the state’s targeting of public employees in his decision to jump to a similar job in Minnesota. Jonathan Holets told the Superior Telegram that he enjoyed working in the Douglas County District Attorney’s office in Wisconsin, but he saw better opportunities across…

Mar 10, 2011 3:05 PM CST