The Department of Justice has dropped charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska amid allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, NPR reports. Stevens was convicted on corruption charges in October. The prosecution failed to disclose potentially exculpatory evidence to the defense, as is required by law. Attorney General Eric Holder released this statement, which reads in part:
After careful review, I have concluded that certain information should have been provided to the defense for use at trial. In light of this conclusion, and in consideration of the totality of the circumstances of this particular case, I have determined that it is in the interest of justice to dismiss the indictment and not proceed with a new trial.
Prosecutorial misconduct is a very serious thing. It's impossible to have a fair trial if prosecutors are allowed to skirt the laws, and letting a conviction stand in light of the prosecution's behavior would set a disturbing precedent. If people are angry that Stevens is being set free, they should be angry at the prosecutors who tried the case. The prosecution's conduct in the Stevens case is embarrassing, but at least Holder is doing his job right.
-- A. Serwer
