Crime & Safety

Is Judge's Deal Right For Dookhan?

The ex-chemist's alleged malfeasance has sullied the outcome of thousands of drug cases in Massachusetts.

Annie Dookhan, an ex-state drug lab chemist who allegedly mishandled evidence in thousands of Massachusetts narcotics cases, could get five years in prison if she pleads guilty to charges of falsifying evidence among others, The Boston Globe reports.

According to the newspaper, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Carol Ball said Dookhan seems a “tragic and broken” person, but due to the deep impact of her malfeasance while employed at the Hinton Drug Lab in Jamaica Plain, the punishment of five years fits.

Do you think it does? The story goes on to report that Ball said sentencing guidelines for someone with no prior record – such as Dookhan – under the circumstances call for a sentence of 12 to 36 months in prison. Though, Dookhan’s alleged actions have no precedent in Massachusetts and the ramifications will be felt in the state’s justice system.

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