Which is like saying the Lerdo jail isn't perfect but it works and the evidence room isn't perfect but that works too.  We're assuming the unlucky inmate doesn't get beaten to death or evidence in a case isn't missing without explanation.  There is no excuse for sloppy or careless police procedure regardless which department.

How can a jury in clear conscience convict someone of a serious crime if there is a pattern of flaws in the system? How can a DA prosecute if evidence is mishandled or missing? The vindication of crime victims and the public safety is in jeopardy if we can't be confident that the people entrusted to do the job aren't doing it.  Sorry, "working" isn't good enough, it's got to be perfect. I want to know that the evidence that puts someone away cannot possibly be compromised.

The dirt bag STILL had Meth in his blood so he IS still guilty.  Yes they need to figure out why the levels were different, but meth is meth.  I'm tired if the local press joining with the defense attorneys in trying to discredit the Crime Lab.  You quote defense attorney Kyle Humphrey calling the Crime Lab "monkeys and mad scientists".  This is the same scum bag Kyle Humphrey who spent months saying his client did not kill Steve Tauzer. That's until the State Crime Lab found his client's DNA on the murder weapon.  There are good people working at the Crime Lab.

"There are good people working at the Crime Lab"

with no public trust...among those who still read, anyway.

--virgil

" This is the same scum bag Kyle Humphrey who spent months saying his client did not kill Steve Tauzer."

I can't beleive Tauzer is brought into a conversation about the credibility of the crime lab. Jesus! Try again, please! 

--virgil

Tasuzer the boy lover??

No credibility...sadistic and opportunistic. Mr. "teddy bear".... a liar!

--virgil

...according to rumor, innuendo and implications from eye witnesses, a buggerer of boys.

--virgil

Sorry but the handling of the blood samples is not satisfactory. The DA lab really screwed this one up. Just the fact that the amounts of meth is different is a good indication that something is not right in  the DA lab. Also one of the victims family member handled the sample......The lab should be embarrassed. Even the fact that the lab didn't hide their screw ups doesn't matter in my eyes.......If the suspect was guilty the DA's office has tainted that.

Would it be reaching a bit to say something like, " and that's only what we know about"? 

To be objective and entered as evidence in a court of law the evidence processing must be without bias. Otherwise, it's slanted towards the prosecution ( The STATE: the county, to guys with the morality of slugs like Tauzer and his "good friend", Jagels.).

I guess most crimes labs are run by  law enforcement agencies. But Kern-Town's lab is administered and supervised by the District attorney's  office ( and, again, with a DA like Jagels...?).

That's wrong!

I fear for Justice's liberty. I wonder if  in Kern co. she has ever been bound and forced to  look whlie performing her sacred duty.?

--virgil

Agree, Virgil. Everytime bumbling procedure or incompetence becomes public, I wonder what is going on that I don't know about? If I'm on a jury and a defendant claims he was beaten during an interrogation or evidence that would clear him is withheld or lost, I'd have to give it credibility if I don't have complete trust in the law enforecement in charge.  

Roysan:

If you read my article, you'll see I'm not discrediting anyone and I never quoted Kyle Humphrey.

Virgil and Gube:

Yes, the Willsey case looks very very bad and makes one wonder what other problems are there. That's why I think it's a good thing that all of this is being discussed publicly.

In a perfect world, perhaps a totally independent lab would erase the perception of bias, though, as I said, we don't have a problem with law enforcement (including DA investigators) working other aspects of a crime. But human error will exist no matter who runs the lab, and that's what appears to have happened in Willsey.

To err is human, to forgive is divine. Neither should be tolerated in the justice system.

" In a perfect world, perhaps a totally independent lab would erase the perception of bias,..."

Respectfully Lois,

I bet it would be possible to reach a more perfect arrangement than what we have now with respect to the use of evidence provided by Kern's crime lab. 

Without access to unbiased lab "stuff" (samples, procedure etc.) the evidence more than appears to be unduly weighted against an accused.  In any situation , a defendant is forced, then,  to purchase independent analysis of lab evidence to ensure impartiality (in front of a jury of peers) .

I think it can be done differently. My point in this thread is that with the appearance of a certain amount of venality in the DA"s office, it should be done differently. In my opinion,  done differently in the "interest of justice".

--virgil

so we should  trust The DA's lab to provide the evidence to prosecute joe blow citizen ....  but they cant be trusted in cases where cops are victims or suspects ...   in my book they either are a credible lab or not ...

Regarding criminal justice, it's in the interest of the public to ensure absolute professionalism and impartiality as to admit able evidence and the procedures by which that eveidence is secured.

In profile cases where the DA may have political interest, those safeguards are even more imperative. Fred, given what is known already about criminal justice in Kern co.,  the results of the crime lab supervised so close to the DA must be criticized. 

--virgil  

I think the DA lab needs some type of audit......A outside unbiased audit to review their procedures. IMHO the DA's lab should be perfect in what they do. To error is human is BS. Its a scientific laboratory that literally needs to perform at the highest level because it holds peoples lives in its hand. To except less then perfect is unacceptable to the people of Kern county. If the lab is over worked then they need to contract out to other labs. I hope the public attention that the lab is receiving will motivate Jagels to do the right thing and assure the citizens of Kern county that they are receiving a honest result.

Posted by Roysan 

Man Roysan you would make the dream juror for the prosecution..........lol

Gube, 

The DA should having nothing to do with the Crime Lab. That's it!

You're right in saying to err is human in this situation is BS. But, this is what I think about it : to be self-interested is human - vitally. For political reasons, if for nothing else, the DA should not be so close to the supervising of the crime lab. 

--virgil  

VirgilI couldn't agree with you more......Its kinda scary to know that the prosecutor that wants to put you in jail has the lab at his disposal to do so..... That just seems wrong...The DA's office is all about convictions......How can the lab not be biased or crooked.

The DA controlling the lab is as questionable as the Sheriff also being Coroner or a law enforcement agency investigating itself (officer involved shootings)  None of these arrangements do much to promote public trust. At the very least, the perception that credibility is lacking is a problem.