Readers React: For prosecutors, truth should trump convictions

To the editor: In so many instances such as the case of Susan Mellen, who was released from prison after a judge threw out her 1998 murder conviction, if a district attorney was more interested in getting to the truth and less interested in just getting a conviction, there would be fewer innocent people going to jail. (“Judge voids woman’s conviction in 1997 killing,” Oct. 10)

I’m not even talking about the instances of true prosecutorial misbehavior. I’m just considering those instances where evidence is questionable but the drive is for a conviction.

I’m thankful for groups like the nonprofit that worked on Mellen’s case, Innocence Matters.

Jim Leach, Trabuco Canyon

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