Press Release - Sept 11, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, SEPT. 11, 2007
CONTACT: Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES DNA WORK GROUP MEMBERS
Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the members of a new working group that will examine how DNA evidence is collected and preserved in Colorado.
The independent team of prosecutors, defense attorneys, evidence experts, lawmakers and other stakeholders will study DNA collection, preservation and analysis practices in Colorado, as well as examine best practices nationally for possible adoption here.
Jeffrey Bayless, retired chief judge of the Denver District Court, will chair the 21-member working group.
"Each of these individuals brings extremely relevant subject-matter expertise to this effort," Gov. Ritter said. "They understand the importance of evidence preservation to the criminal justice system. They may see the issue from different perspectives, but they share a common purpose in the desire to see justice administered fairly."
The Governor and the Colorado District Attorneys Council expect the working group will present its finding and possible recommendations this fall.
Members of the working group are:
Jeffrey Bayless, retired chief judge, Denver District Court
Donald Christensen, executive director, County Sheriffs of Colorado
Dennis Davenport, crime scene investigator, Commerce City Police Department
Ken Gordon, state senator and former criminal defense attorney
Cheri Jahn, state representative
David Kaplan, former Colorado State Public Defender
Kim Karn, office head, Pueblo Regional Public Defender Office
Steve King, state representative
Greggory S. LaBerge, director, Denver Police Department crime lab
Jan LeMay, criminalist, Weld County Sheriff¿s Office
Terri Livermore, assistant director, Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance
Mitch Morrissey, Denver District Attorney
John Morse, state senator, former Fountain police chief
John Newsome, District Attorney, 4th Judicial District
Dan Oates, Aurora police chief
Deborah Pratt, assistant attorney general, Colorado Attorney General¿s Office
Don Quick, District Attorney, 17th Judicial District
Kathy Sasak, deputy director, Colorado Department of Public Safety
Janel Smith, criminal investigator, Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Ann Terry, legislative liaison/public policy analyst, Colorado Department of Public Safety
Dave Thomas, president, Colorado District Attorney's Council
Additional biographical information is available upon request.