As if it wasn’t bad enough that Annie Dookhan allegedly faked evidence, the motivations and attitudes underlying her actions are even scarier. The thirty-five year old former state chemist, once described as a “Superwoman” of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, was indicted on 27 charges relating to fabrication of drug evidence. Among other things, the allegations suggest Dookhan, whose job it was to test drug evidence for ongoing criminal cases, would mark “positive” samples she failed to test, and even mix samples to ensure that previously drug-free evidence would subsequently test positive. [Read more…]
First Civil Suit Filed as Former Lab Chemist Dookhan Pleads Not Guilty
Former Massachusetts crime lab chemist Annie Dookhan entered a plea of not guilty last week in response to charges that she tampered with drug evidence and faked test results. Her case has been in the headlines for several months as the state comes to grips with just how far-reaching her mistakes could be. One man, who had cocaine distribution charges against him dropped in light of Dookhan’s mess, is now the first to file a lawsuit against her, though not likely the last. [Read more…]
More Crime Lab Evidence Tampering
The Massachusetts criminal justice system continues to take a beating. With the continuing scandal still brewing over Annie Dookhan, another state lab worker is arrested – Sonja Farak, a chemist in the Amherst crime lab. She allegedly replaced evidence that tested positive as heroin and cocaine with counterfeit substances while taking the actual drugs for personal use. [Read more…]
Weymouth Assistant D.A. Cleared of Wrongdoing in Dookhan Case
Former assistant district attorney George Papachristos was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in relation to the drug-lab case of chemist Annie Dookhan, according to Wicked Local Weymouth. Papachristos may have been engaged In a “yearlong telephone and e-mail” exchange with the embroiled lab chemist, but his behavior was not criminal. [Read more…]
MACAA Annual Meeting Tackles Dookhan, Budgets
With over 3,000 court-appointed lawyers in the state, the Massachusetts Association of Court Appointed Attorneys (MACAA) is working hard to give them a voice and advocate on behalf of their needs. [Read more…]
Massachusetts Court Appointed Attorneys To Address Gov Attack on Private Bar, Lab Scandal
Big issues are on the table for the members of the Massachusetts Association of Court Appointed Attorneys at it’s annual meeting. Governor Patrick continues his attack on the private attorneys who defend the bulk of indigent defendants. In addition, the ongoing scandal and fallout from the Massachusetts drug lab evidence scandal will be a hot topic that affects many in the defense bar, and their clients. [Read more…]
