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North Carolina SBI and District Attorneys Face Further Criticism For Wrongdoing

Posted by Christopher Shumate | Dec 17, 2012 | 0 Comments

In 1998, Derrick Allen was charged with the sexual assault and death of his girlfriend's two-year-old daughter. Mr. Allen accepted a plea deal to avoid the potential death penalty. Notably, he did not admit guilt in the plea. Mr. Allen subsequently spent twelve years in prison following his conviction.

However, that is not the end of Mr. Allen's case. Judge Hudson of Durham County Superior Court recent issued a lengthy Order chastising Durham prosecutors and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) crime lab. Judge Hudson noted the state withheld important evidence that could have exonerated Mr. Allen. Judge Hudson openly criticized Tracey Cline (current District Attorney / Assistant District Attorney at the time of the case) in particular for her failure to disclose potentially exonerating evidence.

Specifically, the district attorney misled the defense about blood evidence in the case. SBI agent Jennifer Elwell also prepared a misleading report, falsely indicating the presence of blood in the victim's underwear. Freda Black served as an Assistant District Attorney at the time of the case. She testified such evidence was crucial to the case. The attorneys in question deny any wrongdoing. However, their actions will be reviewed by the North Carolina Bar. As for the N.C. SBI, the agency has been in the news lately for various incidents that raise serious questions about its integrity.

This case, questions that continue to arise regarding District Attorney offices around North Carolina, and the ongoing questions regarding the N.C. SBI are all clear reasons why anyone with a criminal charge needs to obtain a qualified Charlotte criminal lawyer. There are a variety of legal issues that must be addressed with any criminal matter, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony charge. However, a skilled criminal / traffic attorney will be aware of these additional issues that can have a substantial effect on your case. If you require assistant with a criminal case, please consult a Charlotte, North Carolina criminal attorney immediately for a free consultation.

NewsObserver.Com, Up To The Bar, 03/16/11

TheHeraldSun.Com, Crime Lab Errors Free Derrick Allen

About the Author

Christopher Shumate

Mr. Chris Shumate is a native of Gastonia, North Carolina, and worked various jobs while pursuing his undergraduate and Juris Doctor education, including several heavy manual labor and skilled trade positions. In his practice, Mr. Shumate often encounters circumstances where these prior experiences are helpful in representing you. Upon graduating law school from the University of South Carolina, Mr. Shumate joined one of the Carolinas' larger defense firms, where he represented a diverse set of employers and insurance companies in civil cases and workers' compensation claims across the Carolinas. Chris utilized this experience to obtain a working knowledge of the insurance industry, and build personal contacts used today in representing you. Mr. Shumate ultimately decided he wanted to focus his law practice on assisting those who have been injured, and doing so with the focus on a personal relationship that is uncommon in the bigger firms. Mr. Shumate's also has a passion for assisting those facing the challenges of the criminal legal system. By representing individuals in a variety of criminal and traffic matters, Mr. Shumate works to achieve the best possible result for each client regardless of the charges levied by the prosecution. Chris has tirelessly pursued his mission of helping people from all walks of life throughout the Carolinas with a variety of legal matters. If you are interested in learning more about Chris Shumate and The Shumate Law Offices, please contact us at 704.371.5059. We look forward to assisting you to achieve a positive result in your legal concern. Education J.D., University of South Carolina B.S., University of South Carolina Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice N.C. State BarS.C. State BarU.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina Professional & Bar Association Memberships N.C. Bar Association S.C. Bar Association Mecklenburg County Bar N.C. Academy Of Trial Lawyers American Association For Justice

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