SBI Abuses Impact Criminal Trials

Recent revelations that the analysts at the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations misreported results, lied about lab tests, failed to report results that were inconsistent with what prosecutors wanted to hear has created shock waves in North Carolina.

The News and Observer reports that distrust is building in courtrooms throughout the state:

“All this information came from the SBI, and we all know what they say doesn’t matter anymore. They have no credibility now,” [Criminal Defense lawyer] Reece said in an interview Monday.

It is a scene expected to play out in courtrooms across the state in the coming months as attacks on the SBI’s credibility reverberate. Judges anticipate a slew of motions from prisoners seeking a review of their cases, citing problems over SBI analysis. Prosecutors are trying to figure out how to defend SBI agents and analysts, often their star witnesses in front of juries.