CSI Unit Commander Plants Evidence in Nebraska

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http://truthinjustice.org/Omaha-CSI.htm

This case has a little something for everyone.  The commander of the Douglas County (Southeast Nebraska) CSI unit has been charged with planting false DNA evidence in a vehicle the police thought belonged to the perpetrator of a double murder.  He is also charged with falsifying documents in a federal investigation, and mail fraud for sending some of these false documents.

Two primary suspects (a father and son) were held for several months before eventually being cleared.  These suspects have since filed charges due to having been harassed into providing a false confession.  The father, who is mildly retarded, was interviewed for 11 hours before confessing to the crime and implicating his son.

Numerous other cases have now been called into question following this investigation including several murder cases in which the defendant is now serving a life-sentence. 

This highlights the need for strict internal control of forensic evidence.  If the system places to much emphasis on achieving convictions, and 'putting bad guys away' field-workers, and law enforcement personnel may be motivated to falsify documents in order to get ahead or keep their jobs. 

'Beyond a Reasonable Doubt' starring Jessie Metcalfe, Amber Tamblyn, and Michael Douglas is a recent movie dealing with this issue.  Metcalfe plays a news reporter who is convinced that Douglas, a powerful D.A. interested in running for mayor, has been searching for cases with only circumstantial evidence available then planting evidence to win convictions.  Metcalfe frames himself for a murder in order to expose Douglas.  Watch the trailer here.  Great movie, horrible ending. 

http://www.hulu.com/watch/73536/movie-trailers-beyond-a-reasonable-doubt

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http://truthinjustice.org/Omaha-CSI.htm

After reading this article I thought right away it would be very worthwhile to see what happens to Kofoed. What would cause a man with the status of being a CSI lab technician for the Omaha police want to tamper with evidence and possibly be accountable for mail fraud. The article said some want to find evidence so badly that they do whatever needs neccessary also they risk losing their job if they don't find something that will hold up in court. I would like to see what Kofoed is charged with because he did pass a lie detector test, but is that enough. For some reason, authorities believe Kofoed is to blame for everything. Theory could be was he taking a bribe from someone to tamper with evidence. It is important to look back at the other cases Kofoed worked on since because of him two other men have been sent to life in prison.

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