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"Reformers have for years recommended that all forensic labs be independent from law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies' and this is a key reform promoted by The Justice Project (2008). But fixing these problems is only half the answer' because half of the wrongful convictions attributed to misleading forensic evidence involved deliberate forensic fraud' evidence tampering' and/or perjury.
From "The Elephant in the Crime Lab," by co-authored by Sheila Berry and Larry Ytuarte; Forensic Examiner; Spring, 2009;
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PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "Police said that nine of the 10 new cases involved car break-ins. The 10th involved the burglary of a basement apartment. "Those reports contained dozens of individual false entries, detailing investigative steps that were never in fact taken," Donald said. As he was shown the door, Rice signed a waiver allowing the NYPD's disciplinary decision to be made public, despite Section 50-a of the 1976 state Civil Rights Law, which bars the release of disciplinary findings against uniformed officers. "We hope the NYPD continues to root out the bad apples and we commend Commissioner O'Neill for taking a thorough look at the actions of this detective," City Councilman Donovan Richards said Wednesday. "We should never allow the actions of the few to taint the great work of the many." Rice will be able to keep his pension, but without the annual $12,500 variable supplement retiring cops are usually paid, sources said. Detectives union head Michael Palladino, who had called The News' coverage of Rice's misconduct "an assault on the work ethic and integrity of all detectives who risk their lives while serving the public," did not reply to emails seeking comment Wednesday. The union also put up a billboard in the wake of The News' Rice coverage depicting a puppy peeing on a copy of the newspaper. Rice's lawyer James Moschella, who said The News was trying to "destroy" Rice's life, also did not respond to messages."
STORY: "NYPD detective ‘Do-little’ forced to retire after new probe exposes more bogus witness reports," by reporters Thomas Tracy and Graham Rayman" published by The New York Daily News on May 17, 2018. (Born and bred in Brooklyn, crime reporter Thomas Tracy has been covering the NYPD for more than a decade. He joined the Daily News in January 2013.)
SUB-HEADING: "An NYPD detective was forced to retire after a new probe uncovered 10 more cases in which he fabricated witnesses."
PHOTO CAPTION: "An NYPD Detective Thomas Rice was demoted to a police officer and forced to retire after a new probe revealed 10 more cases filled with bogus witness reports."
GIST: "An NYPD detective who made a career out of creating phantom witnesses to close investigations was bumped down to police officer and forced to retire after a new probe uncovered 10 more cases in which he fabricated witnesses and other information, police said Wednesday. A criminal investigation has also been launched against former Detective Thomas Rice. The move came after the NYPD opened a probe in the wake of a series of Daily News articles that detailed Rice's misconduct, police said. "Internal Affairs found in the course of their investigation several additional reports that appeared to contain false information," NYPD spokesman Peter Donald said Wednesday. "After further investigation by Internal Affairs they determined Rice had not actually interviewed witnesses or canvassed for video in a number of cases, as he had documented in his reports." After being served with disciplinary charges on Tuesday, Rice pleaded guilty and was immediately suspended for 30 days, Donald said. He was also forced to forfeit 60 vacation days, was demoted to police officer and forced to retire. "The case has been referred by Internal Affairs to the Queens district attorney's office for potential criminal charges," Donald said. As a member of the 106th Precinct's detective squad in Ozone Park, Queens, Rice closed at least 22 grand larceny cases between 2011 and 2012 by entering more than 100 fake witness names and addresses in official documents. After he was caught, the NYPD allowed him to keep his job and rank, but docked him 20 vacation days and transferred him to Brooklyn's 67th Precinct. The NYPD never disclosed its full decision. The department's handling of the case raised questions about whether the disciplinary system was free of influence. Queens prosecutors also started a review following The News' articles, which has now morphed into a criminal investigation that may be wrapped within two months, sources said. That investigation involves his conduct with the NYPD and whether he got paid by the city while working at his second job — a Long Island power-washing business he owns. NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill, who approved the discipline meted out to Rice on Tuesday, has said publicly that the second chance the detective received six years earlier wouldn't have happened under his watch. "If this was a case that was presented to me there's a good chance Mr. Rice . . . would not be a police officer anymore, would not be a member of the service," O'Neill said. Police said that nine of the 10 new cases involved car break-ins. The 10th involved the burglary of a basement apartment. "Those reports contained dozens of individual false entries, detailing investigative steps that were never in fact taken," Donald said. As he was shown the door, Rice signed a waiver allowing the NYPD's disciplinary decision to be made public, despite Section 50-a of the 1976 state Civil Rights Law, which bars the release of disciplinary findings against uniformed officers. "We hope the NYPD continues to root out the bad apples and we commend Commissioner O'Neill for taking a thorough look at the actions of this detective," City Councilman Donovan Richards said Wednesday. "We should never allow the actions of the few to taint the great work of the many." Rice will be able to keep his pension, but without the annual $12,500 variable supplement retiring cops are usually paid, sources said. Detectives union head Michael Palladino, who had called The News' coverage of Rice's misconduct "an assault on the work ethic and integrity of all detectives who risk their lives while serving the public," did not reply to emails seeking comment Wednesday. The union also put up a billboard in the wake of The News' Rice coverage depicting a puppy peeing on a copy of the newspaper. Rice's lawyer James Moschella, who said The News was trying to "destroy" Rice's life, also did not respond to messages."
The entire story can be found at:
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. 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/c
