San Francisco prosecutors say additional 1,400 cases may be dropped this week over lab scandal

More SF cases may be dropped in crime lab scandal

SAN FRANCISCO — Prosecutors are considering dropping an additional 1,400 cases this week because of a scandal at the police crime lab, a spokesman for the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office said.

Though no final decision has been made, the additional cases would be come on top of the 500 cases that have already been dropped, spokesman Brian Buckelew said. Of those cases, prosecutors plan to refile charges in 300 cases, Buckelew said.

The police crime lab was closed March 9 following allegations that longtime technician Deborah Madden stole cocaine evidence. Madden hasn’t been charged.

Meanwhile, police officials have acknowledged that other drugs may have been stolen, including the painkiller Oxycontin.

Assistant Chief Jeff Godown said Saturday that there was a 17-pill shortage in a much larger sample that included Oxycontin. The matter is still being investigated, he said.

Buckelew confirmed that some Oxycontin was discovered missing by an outside lab called in to retest evidence.