Recently compromised evidence has led the dismissal of over 140 mostly drug-related cases by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. All dismissed cases have been tied back to a Harris County Precinct 4 deputy, who disposed of evidence by mistake. Now, investigators are reviewing all cases linked to the destroyed evidence dating back to 2007.
The event has affected numerous defendants such as David Bellamy, who was charged with felony possession of narcotics. David was facing between 25 years and life in prison until news of the compromised evidence reached his defense counsel. Due to the missing evidence, the judge assigned to Bellamy’s case dismissed the charges. Bellamy’s attorney, Paul Morgan, claims he was locked up for months waiting for trail.
As time goes on, we’ll see how many cases are linked to Precinct 4. It will take a lot of problem solving to tackle this issue as our managing attorney Tyler Flood states: “Precinct 4 is in a lot of hot water, and they’ve got bigger problems ahead of them.”
