Flyboy
Member
http://reason.com/blog/show/121692.html
In other words, when questioned by Congress, the FBI says "we don't want to publicly give you an answer about our policy of protecting murderers to help in drug investigations."
I guess it's a question of priorities.
Last week, a federal judge excoriated the FBI for not only hiding exculpatory evidence that would have exonerated four innocent men who served more than thirty years in prison, but for rewarding those who did the hiding and covering up with bonuses and promotions. For this crime against American citizens, American taxpayers will now shell out more than $100 million. Thus far, none of the government agents actually responsible for this crime have been held accountable. Only rewarded.
Well, we're just getting started. On July 19th, the House Judiciary Committee held hearings on the use and abuse of confidential drug informants. The testimony Assistant Director of the FBI Directorate of Intelligence Wayne M. Murphy gave at that hearing is truly astonishing.
The transcript below was provided by the ACLU. It comes from the Q &A session after the witnesses provided their initial testimony. Murphy's being questioned by Rep. Dan Lundgren (R-Calif.) and Rep. William Delahunt (D-Mass.). The context: Lundgren and Delahunt have cited incidents in the past in which the FBI has covered up evidence that its confidential drug informants have committed violent crimes (including murder) in order to protect their identities, so that they could continue providing the bureau with information. They've cited other incidents, including the case above, in which the FBI has hidden exculpatory evidence, and allowed innocent people to go to prison. Lundgren and Delahunt want Murphy to assure them that the FBI has instituted policies to ensure that these sorts of incidents won't happen again--that murderers won't be protected and innocent people sent to prison in order to preserve drug investigations.
... [transcript of Congressional testimony; the money quote follows]
Representative Delahunt: I'm not asking about qualities or guidelines or considerations. Does there exist today, in your opinion, a legal responsibility for the FBI to communicate, in a homicide investigation, either exculpatory information to the state and local authorities, or evidence that would indicate that an individual is responsible for murder? That's a 'yes' or 'no' question.
Murphy: I would prefer to answer that question offline if you wouldn't mind, thank you Congressman.
Delahunt: Well I do mind. And I don't see the reason why that answer has to be provided offline. That's a legal question.
In other words, when questioned by Congress, the FBI says "we don't want to publicly give you an answer about our policy of protecting murderers to help in drug investigations."
I guess it's a question of priorities.