CPD detectives busy with local trials

The high amount of trial summons does not indicate crime trend.

By Lyndsie Manusos

Published Dec. 8, 2009

A high number of Columbia Police Department detectives have been summoned to testify in local jury trials recently. CPD spokeswoman Jessie Haden said detectives and officers have frequently been called to court, but the number of trials is not indicative of a crime trend.

"The jury trials are the least likely scenario but they are high profile cases so they get a lot of attention," Haden said. "The trials use a lot of CPD resources."

Haden also said CPD has been involved with a few robbery trials and the occasional homicide case. Some of the recent high profile cases include the Grady Dortch trial and last week's Horace Johnson trial.

"Put all those together and that makes a busy fall," Haden said.

Boone County Prosecutor Daniel Knight said the prosecutor's office has had six murder trials this year, and five were tried in a 90-day time period.

"I am positive that no other time in my 17 years have we tried five in a 90-day time period," Knight said.

Haden said forewarnings of when officers will be summoned to court fluctuate depending on the trial. For homicide trials, officers know months in advance when they're going to testify. In other cases, officers will receive a summons to be in court just days away, Haden said.

CPD Detective John Short said if there's a jury trial, a lot of time is spent preparing to be summoned to court.

"We have to manage our time," Short said.

Knight said there's also a tremendous amount of preparation that goes into the cases and with the amount of high profile cases, it can put stress on the prosecutor's office.

"It has been a tough stretch but we've made it through pretty well," Knight said.

The police department can also be chaotic when detectives and officers are getting subpoenaed to court. Short said when there is a homicide or robbery trial, at least five detectives can be summoned to testify.

"The crew in here gets involved with almost every homicide trial," Short said. "There are times when it does have an effect on how we do business."

Officers should review the case report because they might not remember everything, Haden said. Other preparations, like retrieving evidence from the property room in a timely fashion, are also encouraged.

"Good report writing is very important," she said.

Short said the prosecutor's office is pretty good in letting CPD officers know when they're going to be testifying. If prosecutors aren't sure when officers will be needed, they will put them on standby.

"We work closely with the prosecutor's office," Short said. "And you bet, we like to see them win."

Knight said the prosecutor's office has an excellent working relationship with CPD and all Boone County law enforcement agencies.

"It's very important that we are able to communicate about any issues we might have," Knight said. "We're very fortunate to have that relationship with CPD."

Haden said the prosecutor's office is very prudent and conservative in preparing their cases.

"We know in our hearts that if they're taking a homicide suspect to trial, they've done their homework and they've prepared a very good case," Haden said.

Short said dealing with trials and working on investigations can be stressful, especially with a lack of sleep. Because of the nature of some of the trials, Short said they try very hard not to let investigations or the trials affect them emotionally.

"We really try not to make this stuff personal," Short said. "It does not involve you as a person, it's your job. Depending on the type of victimization that occurs, it can affect you."