Parties expressed outrage, vowed to investigate the alleged evidence tampering committed by a lab chemist at the South Street facility.
The Massachusetts District Attorney Association released a statement Thursday afternoon, saying they are working on a complete list of criminal cases involved in a possible case of evidence tampering at the South Street State Police crime lab. Officials believe a chemist in the lab mishandled evidence in drug cases.
"We, as District Attorneys, will take the appropriate action necessary to ensure that justice is done. We have notified our counterparts in the Public Defender community to let them know that they will be provided the list of cases as soon as we obtain it," said the district attorneys int he statement.
Governor Deval Patrick also released a statement Thursday afternoon.
"This is deeply troubling information. No breach this serious can or will be tolerated," said Patrick in the statement.
For now, drug samples will be processed at a Sudbury lab.
“This is deeply troubling information. No breach this serious can or will be tolerated. The State Police will continue their investigation to determine what happened and who is responsible so that we can hold those accountable. We have also reached out to District Attorneys, the United States Attorney and the public defenders’ office to inform them and to enlist their help to assure the fair administration of justice. Meanwhile, I have directed the State Police to close the lab until they can ensure me, the judicial system and the public of the integrity of its work.”
The Commonwealth’s District Attorneys received notice today of the action taken at 7AM this morning to close the Department of Public Health’s Jamaica Plain Laboratory.
We have requested and are awaiting a list of criminal cases which have been identified as part of a State police audit into this laboratory.
We, as District Attorneys, will take the appropriate action necessary to ensure that justice is done. We have notified our counterparts in the Public Defender community to let them know that they will be provided the list of cases as soon as we obtain it.
