South By Southwest

05/27/2009
By Craig

It’s About Time…

Yesterday, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty broke ground on a new warehouse in Southwest DC to control evidence for the Metropolitain Police Department. 

Why this matters?   Supposed spoilation and loss of evidence in the current DC warehouse appears to be the norm, not the exception.  In the next few months we’ll know how this unprofessional and inexcusable mismanagement of evidence will affect the outcome of the Wone case.

The shortcomings horror story of the current facility were detailed here last month.  Completion is expected by the fall of 2010.  And apparently a new DC forensics crime lab is underway as well, due in 2011.  Will wonders never cease?

According to the press release the new warehouse will have computer-automated storage system for logging and retrieval of evidence; secure and controlled access to all areas; video event logging of transactions; radio frequency handheld portable terminals; bar code scanning & printing techniques; refrigerated units for storing DNA samples. 

The Washington Post picked up this AP piece:

D.C. to Build New Police Evidence Warehouse

D.C. officials have broken ground for a new warehouse that will store criminal evidence and other property from police.  Mayor Adrian Fenty said Tuesday that the property and evidence warehouse in southwest Washington will allow D.C. police to store millions of items of evidence. Fenty says it also will have better technology to ensure material is properly preserved.

Among the features will be a computer-automated storage system for police to log and retrieve evidence, and refrigerated units for keeping DNA samples.  The 30,000-square foot facility is expected to be complete by fall 2010. It will cost $20 million.

The Examiner files here and quotes DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier as saying, “”It’s in danger of becoming an embarrassment.”   The Washington Business Journal is here and RealEstateArama has the press release.

 If the District and MPD are searching for someone to dedicate this building to, we have a suggestion.

2 Responses to “ South By Southwest ”

  1. CDinDC on 05/27/2009 at 12:34 PM

    “It’s in danger of becoming an embarrassment.”

    pssst….it already is.

    Reply
  2. CDinDC on 05/27/2009 at 12:34 PM

    “It’s in danger of becoming an embarrassment.”

    pssst….it already is.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Purpose of this Site

On August 2nd, 2006, Washington attorney Robert E. Wone was murdered at 1509 Swann Street. Over two years passed before any criminal charges were filed - and then only conspiracy, obstruction of justice and crime scene tampering charges were brought against the Swann Street housemates, all present in the home on the night of the murder: Joe Price, Dylan Ward and Victor Zaborsky.

On May 17, 2010, a DC Superior Court trial got underway and all three defendants were all acquitted in that bench trial on those pending charges.

Nearly four years later, very little seems clear about what happened that night and who murdered Robert Wone. A cloud of suspicion remains over the Swann Street defendants who have denied any involvement in the murder of their friend or in the alleged cover up.

Judge Lynn Leibovitz found a moral certainty in their collective guilt, but not evidentiary certainty. Civil proceedings in a wrongful death suit filed by Robert's family is the next chapter in this tragic story.

We continue to work together seeking answers to the mystery of Robert Wone's murder and in finding justice for his memory and legacy.

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