Overzealous prosecutors are a frequent topic of discussion on this blog, and justifiably so. Prosecutors who withhold exculpatory evidence or make misleading statements can cause immeasurable damage. Prosecutors do even more damage when they resist evidence that a person was wrongly convicted and ridicule or threaten to prosecute a witness who admits that they had given false testimony against someone charged with a crime.
It’s important to point out, though, that not all prosecutors are dishonest and that some have the courage to right wrongs even in the face of criticism. A good case in point is Prosecutor Sue Baur of Cowlitz County in the state of Washington.
After a thorough investigation, Baur concluded that a young woman who came forward to admit that she had falsely accused her father of molesting her a decade ago was telling the truth and dismissed the charges against him. The girl’s father, Thomas Edward Kennedy, was released from prison last week after serving nine years of a 15-year sentence. You can read about the case here.
Equally important, Baur said she would not charge Cassandra Ann Kennedy for lying because, according to an article here, it “might discourage others who might have lied in similar situations from coming forward to tell the truth.” Some vengeful people said Baur should be removed from office for her fair-minded approach and suggested that the accuser should go to prison herself for something she did as a confused and angry 11-year-old girl. In this quarter, at least, both Cassandra Ann Kennedy and Prosecutor Baur should be commended for having the courage to do the right thing.
Great post, Marty. You’re right, it’s important in this blog to celebrate courageous decisions made by the good prosecutors…
An excellent write. Thanks.
And where does that leave the dad as far as justice goes?
Excuse me, but this is a 23 year old woman. Why didn’t she come forward at, say, 18, when she was a little less “confused”?. She belongs in prison. As for Baur, are you kidding me? Not a word about going after ALL involved in this horrible crime against Mr. Kennedy. The witnesses, the jurors, the prosecutor, the doctors, all of them. You know and I know more than one person lied to put this man in jail for 10 years. We need to find out who and crucify them so it does not happen again.