Judge, lawyers: State dragging feet on Amherst drug lab scandal

Even as prosecutors scramble to address state drug laboratory misconduct that could undermine upwards of 18,000 cases statewide, a judge has lambasted law enforcement officials for their handling of the case September 2, 2017AMHERST — Even as prosecutors scramble to...

Editorial Calls for Comprehensive Review of Drug Convictions Involving Amherst Crime Lab

A similar scandal in another Massachusetts crime lab, in which chemist Annie Dookhan was convicted of evidence tampering, resulted in the dismissal of 20,000 drug cases. August 27, 2017In an editorial on Wednesday, the Daily Hampshire Gazette urged Massachusetts...

West Springfield Police Capt. Daniel Spaulding on paid leave amid evidence room probe

The approximately $18,000, sources agreed, remained unaccounted for from three separate drug cases. August 18, 2017WEST SPRINGFIELD – The mayor and police chief today confirmed that the second highest-ranking official in the police department has been placed on...

Framingham officer accused of stealing money wants charge dropped

Police officer accused of stealing money from the department’s evidence room August 10, 2017FRAMINGHAM — With his case scheduled to go to trial next month, an ex-Framingham police officer accused of stealing money from the department’s evidence room is...

Kevin Burnham’s widow gives up retirement annuity to mitigate theft from Springfield Police Department

He died of an apparent suicide while under criminal indictment for allegedly stealing almost $400,000 from the Springfield Police Department’s evidence room. August 10, 2017SPRINGFIELD — The widow of Kevin Burnham has agreed to relinquish the balance of...

Even secondhand exposure to fentanyl is dangerous

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic drug that’s not only dangerous to the user, but for everyone nearby, including first responders. August 5, 2017(WWLP) – Saturday, three police officers in the Boston suburb of Chelsea were affected by second hand exposure to...