No Ethics Charges Filed Against Prosecutor Who Tried to Help Defense
An ethics inquiry has closed without charges against a former Manhattan prosecutor who tried to help the defense in a doubtful murder case.
The former assistant district attorney, Daniel Bibb, told the New York Times he is glad the ethics inquiry has concluded. “I know I did the right thing,” he said.
Bibb told the New York Times last June that he did his best to lose after he was directed to proceed despite his reservations. He said he discussed strategy with defense lawyers and prepared witnesses to testify for the defense in a hearing that reconsidered the murder convictions of two men convicted of killing a nightclub bouncer.
Critics said Bibb should have withdrawn or quit the case, and legal disciplinary authorities opened an investigation last September. The letter announcing the decision by the discipline body says it sees no basis for disciplinary action, the Times says.
The agency did not give a reason for its decision. It had investigated several possible ethical violations, including a rule requiring lawyers to provide zealous representation to their clients, according to the story. Bibb had argued the people of New York were his clients and it was in their interest to free two innocent men.
