Murder Witnesses Called Into Question
Prosecutors thought the father and son who witnessed a California Highway Patrol officer’s murder could be the key to a guilty verdict for suspect Columbus Allen, but credibility issues are calling their testimony into question. The Modesto Bee reports that Christopher Hicks and his son Dujuane both have “credibility issues”; Dujuane faces his own charges of murder in a recent arrest, and Hicks was known to have possessed weapons and drugs in his home.
A discovery dispute is raging between the District Attorney and Allen’s legal defense, who have requested additional information on registration papers held by the defendant at the time of the murder and other documents. The DA is saying that this information has either already been transmitted or is not appropriate for the defense’s review; Allen’s defense team is accusing the DA of withholding vital evidence for its own purposes.
These issues only underscore the importance of having the right witnesses and effectively fighting for appropriate documentation in a criminal defense case. The discovery battle might seem dry and laden with procedural issues, but evidence is at the heart of every criminal case. The right documentation could make or break a defensive strategy, and it’s up to the savvy criminal defense attorney to fight for documents that are being withheld by the District Attorney and other offices with a strategic eye for detail and a “never-give-up” attitude.
The California criminal defense lawyers of Neil Shouse & Associates are experts in discovery issues, witness selection and other fine points of criminal defense. We fight for our clients – and we win. And our track record, resources and experience aren’t our only asset – after all, we offer compassion and exemplary customer service to each and every client. Looking for a criminal defense attorney? Call Neil Shouse & Associates today to find out if our hard-hitting services are right for you.
