Judge Rebukes Prosecutors For Withholding Evidence In Amherst Drug Chemist Scandal

A Springfield judge this week issued a stern rebuke to two former state assistant attorneys general.

In dismissing drug cases because of a former state drug lab chemist's misconduct, Judge Richard Carey said the actions of the former assistant attorneys general were even more damaging.

The judge said when the attorney general's office learned that former chemist Sonya Farak stole drug samples that were evidence in criminal cases and used drugs on the job, the prosecutors tried to hide it and withheld evidence.

Brad Bailey, a criminal defense attorney, former assistant district attorney for Middlesex County and former U.S. attorney in Boston, joined Morning Edition to discuss this further.