Critics: Boss of Top Prosecutor Charged in Perjury Conspiracy Case Should Say More
After news this week that a former top drug prosecutor in the Detroit area—along with a former local judge and two cops—had been criminally charged for allegedly helping present perjured witness testimony at a drug trial, some are now criticizing her boss.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing in the conspiracy-to-commit-perjury case announced Tuesday against former prosecutor Karen Plants, 46. But some are wondering why Worthy—who had much to say about the importance of ethical behavior concerning now-convicted former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick when he was charged by her office last year with perjury—isn’t making similar comments about a prosecutor on her own watch.
Exactly one year after Worthy stated at a news conference, concerning charges announced that day against Kilpatrick, that no one is above the law and lying is wrong, Plants was charged in the perjury conspiracy case, writes the Detroit Free Press.
Yet, concerning Plants, Worthy has said only that her former deputy has the right to the presumption of innocence and a fair trial, the newspaper reports.
“I’ve been an attorney for 17 years, and I can’t recall a case that causes me more concern than this one,” says Patrick Filbin of Plunkett Cooney, who focuses his practice on defending lawyers in disciplinary and malpractice cases.
“If the people don’t believe that the prosecutor’s office and the court system are acting in a fair and impartial way, it fundamentally undermines the judicial system,” he tells the Free Press. “We have to have absolute faith in the fact that these prosecutors and judges and defense attorneys are going to act in a fair and impartial manner.”
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Prosecutor, Judge & 2 Cops Charged By Mich. AG in Detroit Perjury Case”
ABAJournal.com: “Detroit Mayor Jailed, Will Lose Law License—and Is Still Under Investigation”
