Baltimore prosecutor wants 790 ‘tainted’ convictions erased

BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore’s top prosecutor has begun asking judges to throw out hundreds of convictions she says were tainted by discredited officers.

The Baltimore Sun reports that State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s review found a total of 790 criminal cases handled by 22 city officers she says cannot be trusted.

Eight Gun Trace Task Force members were convicted of racketeering crimes and sentenced to prison. Most of the other 14 officers were named during their federal trial.

Mosby says her office has no choice but to right the wrongs when sworn police officers are involved in planting drugs and guns, making illegal arrests and bringing false charges.

With expanded authorities under a new state law, Mosby’s staff will file 200 cases a week, with judges holding daily hearings to consider erasing bad convictions.

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Information from: The Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com