I have spent some time doing investigations. I learned that one of the risks in any investigative assignment is to “buy in” far too quickly. What I mean by that is as a detective, there comes a point where we decide who we think committed the crime. It has to be that way, or we could never solve a thing!
However, you can be too zealous, and risk missing some basic pieces to the puzzle. And this story out of Los Angeles shows that the results can be tragic. It is a bit wordy, but spend a minute and read it over. There seems no dispute at this point that Lisker did not kill his mother. He has been in prison for 25 years! That means he has been in prison for 25 years knowing, each dark night and each lonely day, that he is not guilty.
I cannot think of a greater torture to the mind or the soul. I hope he can forgive. I doubt he can forget. I demand that all of us in the law enforcement profession learn from the sloppy, careless, mindless mistakes made on this case. I love to put people in jail, I really do. But I would have trouble living with myself if this had been my case. What do you think?
Mar 4, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I hope the man is able to forgive those who wronged him. Anger and vengeance can absolutely eat you alive, and unless you can let go of it you’ll be in misery the rest of your life.
What bothers me about this kind of situation is the obstructive behavior of the government. People have been exonerated through DNA evidence, and even after grounds for a retrial have been established, the DOJ refuses to move and refuses to allow the accused out of prison. That troubles me greatly.
Apr 9, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I think they believe they have other evidence that convicts the person, given that DNA science is not perfect. But I agree with you on one point, and that is money. If MONEY was not the real consideration here, there would be much more extensive use of DNA…
Mar 4, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I think the blame here lies with the prosecutors, not the police.
Mar 4, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Interesting idea, Gwendolyn. I agree that the prosecutors play a part here. On the one hand, if the cops were completely incompetent, then the prosecutors should have caught it. On the other hand, however, I know that prosecutors rely on the case delivered to them by us, and that a case can be “sold” by the cops…
In any case I feel for this guy for certain!
Mar 4, 2009 at 11:47 pm
On the other hand, I have a murder case where I have a very fresh,distinctive bite mark on the suspect’s hand that a forensic odontologist matched with my crackhead victim’s uniquely mangled teeth.
The prosecutor won’t follow up with it because DNA (semen) found on the victim’s thigh doesn’t match my suspect. My victim was a hooker. She was in the middle of turning a trick when the suspect found them on the property and confronted them. The john fled,leaving the victim trying to gather her clothing when she was attacked.
Mar 5, 2009 at 8:08 am
Wow…I have been there, brother. I always am amazed at the “score” that prosecutors worry about. They seem to file sure things, not 99% winners. Unreal.