HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A rat infestation on the Houston Police Division property room has raised questions concerning the integrity of prison circumstances regardless of the division’s claims that the issue is confined.
“We do not have a problem with present proof. It is previous proof being saved close to present proof that is nonetheless within the authorized course of,” defined HPD Chief Noe Diaz.
The revelation got here throughout a information convention Friday morning on the facility on Washinton Avenue, which introduced the pressing want to begin clearing the property room of previous and unneeded proof, particularly previous narcotics.
Diaz mentioned there are 1.2 million items of proof. Some have been held for many years and lengthy after the circumstances have been adjudicated.
“We have got 400,000 kilos of marijuana in storage that the rats are the one ones having fun with,” John Whitmire quipped.
Joe Vinas, President of the Harris County Prison Attorneys Affiliation, questions how HPD and the mayor can make sure that the rat infestation has affected solely previous drug circumstances.
“How do they know? Can they learn the labels on the field? ‘They do not want these medication anymore. Let’s go have a celebration,'” Vinas mentioned sarcastically.
The protection legal professional has seen quite a few crime lab and property room points through the years.
“May circumstances be compromised?” reporter Jessica Willey requested.
“Positive. Anytime proof is compromised, then circumstances might be compromised,” Vinas replied.
Diaz mentioned they first found the rodent drawback in October.
Dr. Peter Stout of the Houston Forensic Science Heart mentioned it is a problem many property rooms face.
“They’ve had skilled exterminators concerned, but it surely’s laborious getting these rodents out of there. Give it some thought,” he mentioned. “They’re drug-addicted rats. They’re powerful to take care of.”
Harris County District Legal professional Sean Teare mentioned HPD and his workplace are reviewing previous circumstances to find out what might be purged and can present funds to destroy previous medication.
“We will likely be destroying any narcotics proof that has been obtained previous to 2015,” Teare mentioned.
Whitmire touted the collaboration earlier than a brief tour of the cramped facility.
“You discover a rat gap, they usually might be anyplace within the inside of that constructing,” Vinas added.
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