Press Release
Colorado Bureau of Investigation Faces Scrutiny Over Evidence Tampering Scandal
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is under intense scrutiny following revelations of evidence tampering in thousands of criminal cases. During a recent legislative hearing, CBI Director Chris Schaefer was questioned about the agency’s response to the scandal linked to former DNA analyst Yvonne "Missy" Woods, who is facing 102 felony charges for allegedly tampering with or falsifying evidence over her 29-year tenure.
Schaefer informed lawmakers that anomalies have been discovered in over 1,000 of Woods’ cases, prompting the legislature to allocate millions for DNA retesting. However, the agency has retested DNA in only 14 cases at the request of district attorneys while remaining silent on notifying defense attorneys, victims, and defendants, some of whom may have been wrongfully convicted based on compromised evidence.
Critics, including state Sen. Jeff Bridges and James Karbach from the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office, expressed concern that merely notifying district attorneys does not suffice when individuals’ convictions are at stake. Karbach emphasized that comprehensive reviews are necessary to ensure justice, highlighting the potential issues with retesting existing evidence.
In response to the situation, Karbach is collaborating with bipartisan lawmakers to introduce legislation ensuring defendants and victims are informed of lab misconduct. This bill aims to facilitate legal representation for indigent defendants seeking to address possible wrongful convictions.
Despite CBI’s acknowledgment of identified anomalies, questions remain about the methods used for detection and the definition of “anomaly.” Public defenders are urging CBI to release all case files related to Woods for independent review to safeguard the integrity of the criminal justice system.
As the investigation continues, the CBI faces mounting pressure to restore public trust in Colorado’s forensic practices.
