On Wednesday, August 20, 2014, a suspected murderer, who had been charged and indicted for murder by the Burke County Sheriffs Office was released with charges dismissed by a Superior Court Judge because valuable evidence was missing. This evidence was a snow globe that the defense claims was used against the suspect as a deadly weapon and therefore the suspect shot the victim in self-defense. This snow globe was collected by the Burke County Sheriffs Office and later sent to the SBI for examination. The SBI sent the evidence back to the Sheriffs Office, however the Sheriffs Office could not find the evidence according to the defense attorney. The News Herald reported this on Wednesday. In the News Herald the defense attorney simply stated she did not believe this was any fault on the Burke County Sheriffs Office and believed the evidence was lost in the mail. The News Herald did the story without contacting the Sheriff or any one else involved in the case. The only report made is about what happened in court. There was no journalism/investigation/questioning done by The News Herald. Meanwhile, a suspect walks free out of a courtroom with a murder charge dropped because valuable evidence can not be located. Let me say that again, A Murder Suspect walked free. No justice and no answers provided. It made the headlines one day. It was treated as if the loss of this life was no big deal. Our citizens are entitled to answers. Why was an immediate inquiry not began by the Sheriff. Now for the part that has yet to be released: Yesterday, the day after the case is dismissed, this valuable piece of evidence was located at the Burke County Sheriffs Office. It was sent by the SBI back to them and obviously misplaced somehow. Now a man goes free for murder because evidence was not handled and maintained properly. This evidence is of no use at this point because it could not be produced when the court called upon it. It is now considered tainted evidence. Again, why has an inquiry into the Burke County Sheriffs Office evidence room and procedures not been questioned. The citizens and the victims family deserve answers. Our media is our resource for information. Its the way our citizens stay informed, yet, where is the attention that such a case deserves. I ask you to share this information with everyone you know. I ask you to also share on Facebook. I know it is election season and politics play a role during this time. But, politics should not stand in the way of proper police work especially when a murder suspect has walked free.
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 02:29:06 +0000