Crime lab fallout: Drug defendants go free

Crime lab fallout: Drug defendants go free
Jaxon Van Derbeken, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, March 10, 2010


(03-10) 13:22 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- It was Justin Belton's lucky day.

Belton, 30, pumped his fist in victory today as he left court after San Francisco prosecutors dropped a felony heroin sales case against him.

His was one of more than a dozen drug cases dismissed at the Hall of Justice because of questions surrounding a former technician at the police crime lab suspected of stealing and using drug evidence.

On Tuesday, police said they were shutting down the lab immediately and had ordered an audit of the operation.

"Thank God it got dropped. Now I can get on with my life," said Belton, who was surprised but pleased to learn he was off the hook.

"It was just a sales case," Belton said. He said he hoped to get a job and be long gone should prosecutors ever refile charges against him.


His lawyer, deputy public defender Peter Fitzpatrick, said the drug evidence in Belton's case had been tested by former criminalist Deborah Madden, 60, who authorities say stole powdered cocaine she was supposed to be testing.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/10/BAG81CDOTU.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0hoPjaRlx