The storage and processing of evidence for criminal cases in Houston is undergoing a change following a rodent infestation, as announced by the Houston Police Department and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office this week.
During a press conference, Police Chief Noè Diaz revealed that in October, it was discovered that rats in the evidence property room were consuming old marijuana.
“400,000 pounds of marijuana and storage and the rats are the only ones enjoying it,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire walks through the Houston Police Department evidence room. (Houston Police Department)
“Think about it, they are drug-addicted rats. They’re tough to deal with,” Peter Stout, CEO of Houston Forensic Science Center said.
Whitmire says the overall problem is that so much evidence is stored that it is no longer needed.
“The issue stems from the excessive retention of evidence that is no longer necessary and does not impact the outcome of the case, whether it involves a conviction or innocence,” he explained at the press conference.
He went on to announce that they will be working with the DA to make sure the evidence is properly handled and if it’s no longer needed there will be space for property that is important.
A Houston police cruiser bearing the insignia of the department. (Houston Police Department)
“Now that this has come to light, I think you’re going to see a lot of pushback from the defense about the integrity of evidence used against people they represent,” said Anthony Osso a criminal defense attorney in Houston.
All narcotic evidence obtained before 2015 will be cleared from the shelves and destroyed with the cooperation of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the Houston Forensic Science Center.
Records of the evidence will be kept indefinitely.
