Nebraska county fires crime scene investigator after his evidence-tampering conviction

Convicted Neb. CSI chief fired by county sheriff

OMAHA, Neb. — A Nebraska crime scene investigator convicted of planting evidence in a murder investigation has been fired.

David Kofoed (KOH’-fohd) was dismissed Wednesday at a disciplinary hearing. But his attorney said Kofoed plans to fight his dismissal and appeal his criminal conviction.

Douglas County Sheriff Tim Dunning says Kofoed was allowed to argue to keep his job at the hearing. But Dunning says Kofoed’s felony conviction is a clear violation of department policy and civil service rules, so Kofoed was fired.

Kofoed was convicted last week of tampering with evidence in a 2006 case in which two men were wrongly charged in a double murder.

Kofoed’s attorney Steve Lefler says the conviction will be appealed after his sentencing May 10.