DA Orders Review Of All Contested Convictions

This is something that should be done statewide, not just in Larimer County. Tim Masters, hopefully will pave the way to integrity in prosecution. They want to review for people who are still in state prison. I wonder about those who are out of prison and having difficulty in their lives because of a felony conviction. Don't they matter as well?

Every criminal conviction in Larimer County for which someone is still serving time will be reexamined, 8th Judicial District Attorney Larry Abrahamson said Monday.

He also said that in light of DNA evidence that points to someone other than Timothy Masters as a suspect in the 21-year-old murder case of Peggy Hettrick, he will "be moving as expeditiously as possible" to decide whether all charges against Masters will be dismissed.

District attorney's letter

"In light of newly discovered evidence revealed to me on Friday, January 18th, I will be moving as expeditiously as possible to make the determination of whether all charges against Timothy Masters will be dismissed. I will also be sending a letter to all law enforcement agencies in the Eighth Judicial District requesting that they review contested convictions in this jurisdiction in which the defendants are still serving a sentence in the Department of Corrections. Any case that may benefit from results of DNA testing procedures, not available at the time of the convictions, are to be reported to my office. In addition, my staff and I have met with Chief Harrison and his staff of the Fort Collins Police Services to discuss the flow of critical information with assurance that all information is available to our office and the defense. I will also be meeting with our other law enforcement heads to review similar discovery issues and information access. I can assure everyone that I will continue to do whatever I can to ensure confidence in our criminal justice system." -- Larry R. Abrahamson, 8th Judicial District Attorney

In a five-paragraph letter sent to the news media Monday afternoon, Abrahamson said he wanted to assure everyone "I will continue to do whatever I can to ensure confidence in our criminal justice system."

Questions about the system's integrity have surfaced regularly since Masters began seeking a new trial last year.

The district attorney said he would send a letter to all law enforcement agencies in Larimer and Jackson counties requesting that they review contested convictions in which the defendants are still in state prison.

"Any case that may benefit from results of DNA testing procedures not available at the time of the convictions are to be reported to my office," he said.

"Many positive changes have been made to our discovery process in the last 9 years, and we will continue to examine any practice that could potentially hamper full, complete and immediate discovery compliance," he said.

Masters has always professed his innocence.
Greeley Tribune