State Rep. Robert Koczera (D-New Bedford says most of the blame for the state drug lab scandal falls squarely on former state chemist Annie Dookhan whose accused of mishandling evidence in 34,000 drug cases.
State officials continue to investigate the ongoing scandal at a state crime lab, where as many as 34,000 drug samples may have been altered or manipulated by a chemist.
Gov. Deval Patrick has announced formation of a special unit to sort through tens of thousands of criminal cases that may have been compromised by the mishandling of drug evidence in a now-closed state laboratory.
A drug defendant serving time in jail has been allowed to withdraw his guilty plea and will be released while awaiting trial, in the first of what could be many cases jeopardized by a scandal at a Massachusetts drug-testing lab.
Prosecutors are beginning the process of figuring out how to deal with thousands of drug cases handled by a chemist who is accused of mishandling drug samples and tainting evidence.
Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter said he was stunned to learn about the mishandling of drug samples in as many as 60,000 cases at a Mass. Crime Lab.
Testing problems at a Massachusetts crime lab have now led to two employee resignations, one firing and disciplinary proceedings against another worker.