Judges Toss Charges Against 9 over US Attorney Darin Smith’s ‘Deeply Concerning’ Misconduct
The judges said Smith’s comments and conduct could have biased jurors, and the dismissals were stayed while defendants may seek permanent relief.
- On Friday, three federal judges—Kelly Rankin, Scott Skavdahl, and Alan Johnson—dismissed felony indictments against nine defendants, citing misconduct by interim U.S. Attorney for Wyoming Darin Smith that prejudiced jurors.
- During grand jury proceedings in Casper on March 15, Smith handed out business cards to jurors and made inappropriate comments before a judge entered the chamber, conduct the judges wrote was "concerning on two fronts."
- Defense attorneys argue that Smith's office suppressed exculpatory information known in March for nearly two months, claiming allowing the prosecutor to re-present the case "inadvertently rewards the United States Attorney's Office for an institutional cover-up."
- Judges stayed the dismissal order until Wednesday to allow Smith to contest it, though defense attorneys filed motions requesting permanent dismissals to deter future constitutional violations.
- Smith faces a Senate vote next week to confirm his nomination by Attorney General Pam Bondi, which has been marked by accusations regarding his attendance at the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
15 Articles
15 Articles
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Judges toss charges against 9 over US Attorney Darin Smith’s ‘deeply concerning’ misconduct
Three federal judges dismissed felony grand jury indictments against nine defendants Friday, citing misconduct by interim U.S.
Latest Trump nominee has botched prosecutions 'slam dunk' murder cases
President Donald Trump's Justice Department is calling on the U.S. Senate to confirm interim U.S. Attorney for Wyoming Darin Smith despite major mistakes in at least nine federal cases.A Wyoming judge has dismissed nine cases without prejudice after Smith broke some of the hard and fast rules governed by the courts to ensure fair prosecutions. Smith, who was previously an executive for the Christian Broadcasting Network, is also a twice-failed c…
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