Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater fired two assistant district attorneys for withholding evidence in a murder trial. Prosecutors Kimbrough and Miller failed to reveal exculpatory evidence to attorneys for Billy Thompson when a prosecution witness made a statement to them that was inconsistent with the witness’ statement to the police. Only the statement to the police was revealed and ultimately, Mr. Thompson was convicted of murder.
It’s shocking that even in this day and age, prosecutors can still withhold evidence in a criminal case. Many prosecutors are decent attorneys who are ethically trying to perform their job, which is to ensure justice — not simply to obtain a conviction. Some prosecutors, however, have lost their way and to them, a conviction is more important than seeing justice done.