Kym Worthy, Wayne County prosecutor (file photo)
In an unusual situation, four assistant Wayne County prosecutors have shown support for a Detroit cop convicted on drug charges, arguing that the officer shouldn't go to prison and that the federal government and jury got it wrong, the Detroit Free Press reports. One of the prosecutors, who once dated the officer, calls the federal government "dangerously vindictive" in a letter filed in U.S. District Court.
Their boss, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worth isn't happy.
Tresa Baldas of the Detroit Free Press writes:
That letter, along with others, stunned Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, who said Thursday that the prosecutors wrote the letters without notifying her or their supervisors.
"All four wrote in their professional capacity to advocate for a federally convicted defendant. Their behavior was highly inappropriate and I am extremely disappointed in their lack of judgment,” Worthy told the Free Press in a statement Thursday. “I would never condone or support their actions in their professional capacity. I have spoken personally with acting United States Attorney Barbara McQuade about this situation and expressed my concern. We will be speaking to the assistant prosecutors involved to determine what action will be taken.”
The case involves Lt. David Hansberry, 37, a 16-year veteran who is to be sentenced next week after being convicted in a 5-week-long jury trial last summer of conspiring with drug dealers to steal drugs and cash seized in raids. Federal prosecutors are seeking a 20-year prison sentence for Hansberry and 20 years for his associate, narcotics officer Bryan Watson, 47, a 22-year veteran, who also was convicted of conspiracy. The jury acquitted the pair on all nine substantive counts. Hansberry has asked for leniency: 15-21 months. Watson has requested 21-27 months.
Hansberry and Watson have both long argued that the case against them was weak and that they never committed any crimes, but rather were set up by convicted drug dealers who were looking for a break on their own sentences by claiming they had dirt on police officers when they didn't. Both have received numerous letters of support from friends, family and colleagues who are all asking the judge to show leniency.
