Post by KC on May 10, 2006 21:42:46 GMT -5
05/08/2006 - Jury selection is slated to get underway today in the trial of a former Broward Sheriff's Office deputy charged with falsifying reports.
Christian Zapata is the first deputy to stand trial in the crime statistics scandal that prosecutors began investigating more than two years ago. Three other deputies are awaiting trial -- Lee Martin, Chris Thieman and Shane Campbell, who also are charged with falsifying reports.
Prosecutors allege that the deputies doctored reports to make it appear that more crimes had been solved than actually had been.
Zapata, 36, a former Weston detective, was charged with 14 counts of official misconduct, a third-degree felony, after his December 2004 arrest. Prosecutors allege Zapata, a 10-year BSO veteran, cleared dozens of case based on faulty confessions.
This is the second time Zapata will stand trial. Broward Circuit Judge Michael Gates ''reluctantly granted'' a mistrial in the case against Zapata Feb. 23 after ruling that prosecutors failed to provide the defense with documents.
However, Gates noted that prosecutors' failure was ``inadvertent.''
The mistrial meant that the jury was dismissed and a new trial scheduled. A new jury now will be selected and the prosecution and defense will give new opening statements. Jury selection during the first trial took three days and is expected to take several days again.
Christian Zapata is the first deputy to stand trial in the crime statistics scandal that prosecutors began investigating more than two years ago. Three other deputies are awaiting trial -- Lee Martin, Chris Thieman and Shane Campbell, who also are charged with falsifying reports.
Prosecutors allege that the deputies doctored reports to make it appear that more crimes had been solved than actually had been.
Zapata, 36, a former Weston detective, was charged with 14 counts of official misconduct, a third-degree felony, after his December 2004 arrest. Prosecutors allege Zapata, a 10-year BSO veteran, cleared dozens of case based on faulty confessions.
This is the second time Zapata will stand trial. Broward Circuit Judge Michael Gates ''reluctantly granted'' a mistrial in the case against Zapata Feb. 23 after ruling that prosecutors failed to provide the defense with documents.
However, Gates noted that prosecutors' failure was ``inadvertent.''
The mistrial meant that the jury was dismissed and a new trial scheduled. A new jury now will be selected and the prosecution and defense will give new opening statements. Jury selection during the first trial took three days and is expected to take several days again.