SSCC Virginia

While testifying in the murder case of Brandon D. Cooper, state witness Nicole Byrd said that she saw Cooper running down the street after fatal shots were fired at Antwon D. Freeman. The state did not disclose to Cooper that they had a tape recording of Byrd telling a 911 operator that she “had not seen the shooter and had no information that would be helpful to police.” In fact, prosecutors told defense counsel that the 911 call “offered nothing that would help their case.”

I’ve made comments before about good and great prosecutors.  The bottom line is these men can withhold information and otherwise ruin the lives of honest men merely because they some how get caught in the gears.  While it can happen, actions like this are grossly negligent and speak volumes to the character of the man holding the position.

But it gets better:

On top of that, prosecutor Christopher Jones admitted before Judge Bradley B. Cavedo of Richmond Circuit Court that information showing one of their witnesses was a police informant was also withheld from the defense. Jones joined defense counsel to ask for a new trial. Judge Cavedo granted the motion yesterday, but did not prohibit the state from trying Cooper a second time. David P. Baugh, an attorney for Cooper, said that Jones committed a “classic ethics violation” and that he would file a bar complaint against Jones if the Court does not.

Sounds like a really nice guy huh?  Yeah it just gets better.  Flip over and read the whole steaming pile if you want to.  I suggest stashing the sharp objects.

State Sponsored Criminal: Christopher Jones

Because when you’re a prosecutor all you need to do to destroy someone’s life is be a little unethical, then the state will destroy them for you.

h/t Rob H.