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What Went Wrong at McCollum Trial? Save Email Print
Posted: 6:28 PM Aug 20, 2008
Last Updated: 7:42 PM Aug 20, 2008
Reporter: Jason Colthorp
Email Address: jason.colthorp@wilx.com

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The investigating by the Attorney General's office focuses on a report from Lansing Police Sergeant James Young. The first version of his report in 2005 does not clear McCollum. However, there was a typographical error. It was fixed and the report was revised when the case went to trial in 2006.

Here's the breakdown: The revised version makes it clear that video evidence shows McCollum could not have killed Carolyn Kronenberg. It states McCollum was visible in the Technology and Learning Center Building at Lansing Community College by a security camera from 7:38 a.m. to 9:39 a.m. The murder happened between 8:30 and 8:45 in an adjacent building.

PROSECUTOR GOT REVISED REPORT AFTER TRIAL STARTED
Prosecutor Eric Matwiejczyk got the report the same day Sgt. Young was supposed to testify-- after the trial had already started.

REPORT SHOULD HAVE GONE TO McCOLLUM'S ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY
The rules of professional conduct are clear: Matwiejczyk should have immediately brought it to the attention of McCollum's attorney-- and not just the report-- but the contents of it.

REPORT HANDED OVER MINUTES BEFORE TESTIMONY
Instead, he met with his superiors and the Kronenberg family first. Then he had his assistant give the report to the defense lawyer minutes before Sgt. Young took the stand-- without telling him about Sgt. Young's opinion that McCollum was innocent.

Again, the final straw was Matwiejczyk's decision not to bring any of this up during the questioning. That said, there is not enough evidence to charge him with "obstruction of justice" or any other crime. Now his fate is in the hands of the Attorney Grievance Commission.

Matwiejczyk's assistant in the case-- Marie Wolfe, Ingham County assistant prosecutor-- is in the clear. The rules of conduct say a subordinate isn't in violation if she follows the directions of the lead prosecutor in the case.

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