North Carolina Critics complain of long delays in SBI reform

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina's crime lab is still without a permanent leader a year after an audit found it omitted, overstated or falsely reported blood evidence in dozens of cases over 16 years, and the agency's critics say they're waiting for their promised transparency. Leaders at the State Bureau of Investigation say they are making progress in a difficult budget climate and are committed to further reform, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Sunday (http://bit.ly/nDTGSv). The agency's troubles began in February 2010, when an agent testified at a groundbreaking innocence hearing. It ultimately led to a man being found innocent of a murder for which he served almost 17 years behind bars. Last August, former FBI officials hired by Attorney General Roy Cooper to review cases from 1987 to 2003 called for a thorough examination of 190 criminal cases, saying information that could have helped defendants was sometimes misrepresented or withheld. Cooper promised swift reforms. He replaced the head of the SBI and promised to hire a new lab chief with a strong science background. He also pledged to hire an ombudsman to field complaints from the public and defense attorneys. A year later, the lab is still run by Joe John, a former judge, on a temporary contract. The ombudsman Cooper hired in January left in June to take an appointment as a judge in Wake County. A spokeswoman says the attorney general will hire a replacement. George McLeod, who was put in charge of the agency last August, said he's proud of the work done at the SBI. "But that's not to say we don't have more work to do," he told the newspaper. "We have made significant progress." Last week, the agency touted its progress in a report. The lab is on track to operate under more stringent international standards by year's end, and more than 80 lab analysts are making progress toward getting certified in their discipline this year, McLeod said. He has eliminated the bloodstain pattern analysis unit, which Cooper suspended in July 2010. But some defense attorneys say it's getting harder to get information from the lab. Marilyn Ozer, a Chapel Hill lawyer who handles death penalty appeals, said she had to go to court and get a judge's order to get a copy of reports a prior defense attorney had misplaced. Diane Savage, another Chapel Hill lawyer who has long criticized the SBI, said she's been directed to lab attorneys for copies of reports and policies she believes should be easily handed over. McLeod said he's assigned an attorney to deal with requests from defense attorney. "We want our scientists at the bench, doing their work," he said. Published: Tue, Aug 9, 2011