Callie
New Member
Hi All, I'm putting this article here because of our doubts about the SDCSD investigation of Rebecca's death and I thought this case was somewhat relevent due to their ability for blundering.
San Diego Sheriff's Department Botches Murder Case
SAN DIEGO — It’s been four months since the murder case against Russell Upton Jr., accused of killing his wife 16 years ago, ended in a hung jury and then a stunning dismissal by San Diego Superior Court Judge Kerry Wells.
The reason: the failure of the Sheriff’s Department to investigate the case for nine years after the body of Marilane Abueg, 21, was found.
Wells said there was "clear negligence" by sheriff’s detectives for failing to do even the most basic investigation when the crime occurred.
"This case, unfortunately, tragically, I believe, fell through the cracks," Wells said, according to a court transcript. "It was forgotten or ignored for nine years."
Benny Abueg, Marilane’s father, refuses to accept how the investigation into his daughter’s death was mishandled by detectives.
"We were depending on them," he said.
Few in law enforcement wanted to discuss the case. The lead detective, Genaro Moreno, has retired. Mark Pettine, the prosecutor who finally brought the case to trial after Upton’s arrest last year, also has retired and declined several requests to comment.
Benny Abueg said he does not believe detectives pushed hard enough to solve his daughter’s killing.
"Obviously, there were mistakes made in that case," sheriff’s homicide Lt. Larry Nesbit said last week.
But Nesbit, who was not involved in the Abueg investigation, said the department has different procedures now to prevent similar errors in the future.
<Modsnip>
Read more at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/oct/30/no-conviction-in-botched-case/?ap
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San Diego Sheriff's Department Botches Murder Case
SAN DIEGO — It’s been four months since the murder case against Russell Upton Jr., accused of killing his wife 16 years ago, ended in a hung jury and then a stunning dismissal by San Diego Superior Court Judge Kerry Wells.
The reason: the failure of the Sheriff’s Department to investigate the case for nine years after the body of Marilane Abueg, 21, was found.
Wells said there was "clear negligence" by sheriff’s detectives for failing to do even the most basic investigation when the crime occurred.
"This case, unfortunately, tragically, I believe, fell through the cracks," Wells said, according to a court transcript. "It was forgotten or ignored for nine years."
Benny Abueg, Marilane’s father, refuses to accept how the investigation into his daughter’s death was mishandled by detectives.
"We were depending on them," he said.
Few in law enforcement wanted to discuss the case. The lead detective, Genaro Moreno, has retired. Mark Pettine, the prosecutor who finally brought the case to trial after Upton’s arrest last year, also has retired and declined several requests to comment.
Benny Abueg said he does not believe detectives pushed hard enough to solve his daughter’s killing.
"Obviously, there were mistakes made in that case," sheriff’s homicide Lt. Larry Nesbit said last week.
But Nesbit, who was not involved in the Abueg investigation, said the department has different procedures now to prevent similar errors in the future.
<Modsnip>
Read more at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/oct/30/no-conviction-in-botched-case/?ap
[/SIZE]