Drug Defendants Seek New Trials In Bristol County

A parade of defenants made their way through Fall River Superior Court on Thursday, seeking a stay of their jail sentence and new trials.  The cases were all related to the state crime lab scandal, where former state chemist Annie Dookhan is accused of violating protocols in the testing of 34,000 drug samples, including 4,000 from Bristol County.

According to the District Attorney's Office, eighteen defendants appeared Thursday in Fall River, and ten were granted a stay of their sentence.  Bails were set from $2,500 to $50,000.  Two other men agreed to lesser sentences after negotiations with the D-A's office.  One defendant will be set free, but must wear a G-P-S  bracelet and follow a curfew. Five others withdrew their requests for now.  Eighteen more defendants will be in Fall River Superior Court on Friday.