STORY: ""More than 1,200 DWI (driving while intoxicated) cases may be compromised," by reporter Brian Rogers, published by the Houston Chronicle on May 23, 3013.
GIST: "Defense lawyers said Thursday that problems with a DPS supervisor in Conroe tasked with regulating alcohol testing machines and the police officers who operate them could affect more than 1,200 DWI cases. Glenn Merkord was suspended for 30 days this month for renewing certifications for machine operators who had not fulfilled all of the requirements for certification, according to a letter the Department of Public Safety sent Merkord notifying him of his punishment. "It's very disturbing," said attorney Tyler Flood, who cross-examined Merkord during an April driving-while-intoxicated trial that led to the investigation ending with the technician's suspension. "They found that he wasn't complying with lots of the required DPS guidelines, which is basically the law when it comes to breath testing." DPS officials said little about Merkord on Thursday except that the agency is communicating with area prosecutors explaining the results of the review. In a brief statement, DPS spokesman Tom Vinger said four cases could be affected by the suspension. Flood estimated that the mistakes could affect more than 1,000 cases in Montgomery County and other counties where he oversaw other machines. ........ On Thursday, Merkord said he had made mistakes but expects to be back on the job after being suspended for 30 days on May 10. "I made a mistake, and because of that I was suspended," Merkord said. He said he will retake the tests that qualify him to again oversee Intoxilyzers and the officers who operate them. "I will be recertifying at the earliest opportunity.""
The entire story can be found at:
GIST: "Defense lawyers said Thursday that problems with a DPS supervisor in Conroe tasked with regulating alcohol testing machines and the police officers who operate them could affect more than 1,200 DWI cases. Glenn Merkord was suspended for 30 days this month for renewing certifications for machine operators who had not fulfilled all of the requirements for certification, according to a letter the Department of Public Safety sent Merkord notifying him of his punishment. "It's very disturbing," said attorney Tyler Flood, who cross-examined Merkord during an April driving-while-intoxicated trial that led to the investigation ending with the technician's suspension. "They found that he wasn't complying with lots of the required DPS guidelines, which is basically the law when it comes to breath testing." DPS officials said little about Merkord on Thursday except that the agency is communicating with area prosecutors explaining the results of the review. In a brief statement, DPS spokesman Tom Vinger said four cases could be affected by the suspension. Flood estimated that the mistakes could affect more than 1,000 cases in Montgomery County and other counties where he oversaw other machines. ........ On Thursday, Merkord said he had made mistakes but expects to be back on the job after being suspended for 30 days on May 10. "I made a mistake, and because of that I was suspended," Merkord said. He said he will retake the tests that qualify him to again oversee Intoxilyzers and the officers who operate them. "I will be recertifying at the earliest opportunity.""
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/More-than-1-200-DWI-cases-may-be-compromised-4544405.php
Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog. We are following developments relating to Glenn Merkord.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site.
The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at:
http://www.thestar.com/topic/
Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at:
http://smithforensic.blogspot.
Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog.
