His face when reading name.
His attorney argued:
“He believed county records were being removed improperly.”
Reasonable theory.
Prosecutor asked me on stand:
“Did he have authority to inspect packet?”
“No.”
“How do you know?”
“Transfer order and custody designation.”
“Did you tell him?”
“Yes.”
“How many times did you warn regarding seal?”
“Three.”
“Did you physically try to keep it from him?”
“I moved it once before he seized.”
“Why not fight?”
“Physical struggle over evidence would create additional risk.”
The prosecutor played video.
The defense objected to narration.
Sustained.
Good judge.
Jury watched.
Then former clerk testified.
She cried.
She admitted altering logs under pressure.
Defense attacked.
“You wanted immunity.”
“No immunity.”
“You were afraid of losing job.”
“Yes.”
“You blame him to save yourself.”
“I blame myself too.”
Powerful.
The retired technician testified.
So did lab analyst.
Former detective.
The hardest testimony came from a former deputy who had participated in original narcotics arrest.
He said third bag did not exist at scene.
Defense:
“Can you remember every bag from nine years ago?”
“No.”
“Then how sure?”
“Because I got screamed at for only finding two.”
“By who?”
“The sergeant.”
“And three later appeared?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe another deputy found it.”
“Maybe.”
“Then your memory proves nothing.”
The deputy looked down.
“Maybe.”
That honesty helped.
Prosecution did not need witnesses to be perfect.
Then digital forensic examiner showed server backups.
Original entries.
Modified entries.
Administrator access.
Badge logs.
The sergeant’s office photograph.
Defense challenged time zone.
Clock drift.
Camera.
All appropriate.
Expert held.
The sergeant chose not to testify at first.
Then changed mind.
His lawyer reportedly advised against.
He took stand.
That surprised everyone.
He spoke well.
Twenty-one years police makes people comfortable under questions.
He explained philosophy.
Evidence rooms messy.
Young deputies careless.
His job was to clean.
Administrative corrections necessary.
Seals replaced sometimes.
Forms incomplete.
Late evidence happens.
All true.
He said he never planted anything.
Never framed anyone.
He believed each convicted defendant guilty based on broader case.
Prosecutor asked:
“Did you alter jacket description at 11:14 p.m.?”
“I corrected it.”
“From ‘origin uncertain’ to ‘recovered rear floorboard.’”
“Yes.”
“What source told you rear floorboard?”
“Case team.”
“Who?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Any report before correction?”
“No.”
“Any photograph?”
“No.”
“Any note?”
“No.”
“Vehicle still in custody?”
He paused.
“I believed so.”
“It had been released.”
“If records say.”
“Did you verify?”