Pubdate: Tue, 11 May 2004
Source: Jefferson City News Tribune (MO)
Copyright: 2004 Jefferson City News Tribune
Contact:  http://www.newstribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/845
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm ( Corruption - United States)

PROSECUTORS FEAR HUNDREDS OF DRUG CASES IN JEOPARDY

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - Prosecutors in three southwest Missouri
counties fear hundreds of drug cases are in jeopardy because of
allegations against a chemist with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Officials said the chemist, who resigned Monday, is suspected of
stealing methamphetamine from samples he was testing. The Highway
Patrol, Springfield Police Department and Green County Sheriff's
Department are investigating the accusations, but the man has not been
charged with any crime.

Prosecutors said the chemist's credibility has been badly damaged, and
defense attorneys will pounce on that to bring his conclusions into
question.

"Everything he touched is going to be an issue," said Christian County
Prosecutor Ron Cleek, who estimated that more than 100 of his cases
could be affected.

Cleek said many cases likely will be put on hold until the samples can
be retested.

"It's going to take us six months to a year before we're able to take
care of everything," Cleek said.

The chemist worked at the state's crime lab at Southwest Missouri
State University, where drugs or suspected drugs from crime scenes are
analyzed.

Green County Prosecutor Darrell Moore thinks more than 300 of his
cases could be affected, and Webster County Prosecutor Cynthia Black
plans to send some of her cases back to the lab to be tested again.

"All of our drug cases go to that lab," Black said.

Moore's office started notifying defense attorneys last week of the
investigation.

Prosecutors said there's no evidence that tests the chemist performed
were inaccurate, but because of the nature of the accusations against
him, the work is suspect, nonetheless.

"We don't want any rock left unturned," Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt.
Dan Bracker said. "We're taking this very seriously."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake