Trooper Not "Entirely Truthful During Investigations" Now Out of Job
by
KREX News Room
by
Hilary Martin
Story Created:
Dec 8, 2011 at 6:21 PM MDT
Story Updated:
Dec 9, 2011 at 8:48 AM MDT
A local Colorado State Patrol trooper is out of a job after an investigation reveals he has not been "entirely truthful" in reports. An internal investigation by the CSP concluded that Trooper Don Moseman was biased during DUI investigations. Although it still isn't clear exactly how his reports were falsified, DUI defense attorney Andrew Nolan tells NewsChannel 5 his clients would claim that roadside tests that were in reports by Moseman were never even done.
Assistant District Attorney Rich Tuttle says Moseman has worked for the CSP since 1997, in both the Grand Junction and Denver areas.
"In fall of this year our office developed a concern about the quality and consistencies about the investigations being done by Trooper Moseman," said Tuttle.
The CSP then conducted an investigation into the trooper's DUI cases. According to a letter written by CSP Major Barry Bratt to District Attorney Pete Hautzinger, the investigation found that Moseman's reports weren't "entirely truthful" and contained wrong or conflicting information. Neither the CSP nor the District Attorney's office will elaborate on how the trooper was untruthful.
"There were inconsistencies in the reports and things that didn't necessarily make sense to us," said Tuttle.
While Trooper Moseman lost his job, there are larger repercussions.
"It's a big mess," said defense attorney Steve Laiche.
Defense attorneys like Laiche are now going through their cases to see if there are any that Trooper Moseman worked on that need to be reviewed.
"We're going to have to start culling our files to see what has happened for the last 15 years," said Laiche.
The DA's office is also going through cases to look for discrepancies.
"We are looking back in time to 1998. I'm taking a hard look at those cases that he might have been involved in," said Tuttle.
Tuttle says the public needs to know that there are checks and balances for law enforcement.
"When we have concerns about the integrity of an investigation or the integrity of an individual officer we address those concerns," said Tuttle.
But Laiche says the public's confidence in the system may waiver.
"We want to believe these people are telling the truth. We want to believe these people are protecting us, and when they don't do that, it puts our entire system at risk," said Laiche.
Nolan says he's had three active cases tied to Trooper Moseman dismissed in the past few days.
Trooper Moseman stopped working for the CSP on December 1st.
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Anonymous said on Saturday, Dec 10 at 12:37 PM
In my case,03T2118,the officer said that I pulled in front of a bicyclist when In fact I turned into clifton liquors parking lot at the very east end & a car was turning into the same parking lot on the very west side.The bicyclist was behind the car that I had encountered first.All 3 of my witnesses said the guy on the bike had his head down & I have pictures of him wearing his headphones,which is also illegal.D.A. Tuttle says they look into these things but they dont.Ive been trying for them to look at this ever since they scared my public defender into coersing me out of the jury trial.Also,the D.A. on this case said she was gonna talk to the 3 eye witnesses & never did.Will somebody please look at this?If they can do this to me,they could do it to you too & get away with unless people speak up.
Anonymous said on Saturday, Dec 10 at 7:17 AM
This story sucks. We need to know specifics on what the trooper supposedly did, not speculation that he stretched the truth on reports. How about some better reporting please.
Info said on Friday, Dec 9 at 3:47 PM
would it be too much to ask for you all to post pdf's of governmnet documents related to the story.
Anonymous said on Friday, Dec 9 at 3:13 PM
Tuttle says the public needs to know that there are checks and balances for law enforcement. "When we have concerns about the integrity of an investigation or the integrity of an individual officer we address those concerns," said Tuttle. D.A. Tuttle is lieing.The courts dont care about integrity or checks & balances for law enforcement.I have prrof from a case in 2004 where a state patrol officer changed the facts & I was pushed through the system for a conviction.I had 3 witnesses & the D.A. didnt even talk to them. The case number is 03T2118 & is public record.I am also willing to share this evidence.
Guest said on Friday, Dec 9 at 2:42 PM
This is an awful breach of trust, but it about one trooper and it seems that everyone wants to lump all cops into this. It simply isn't true, nearly all cops honor their oath. BTW, It is funny that Defense Attorney Laiche is cited in this story. Remember, the only persons that are involved in criminal trials that aren't required to raise their hand and swear to tell the truth are the attorneys.
ugh said on Friday, Dec 9 at 8:49 AM
Isnt that what the DA is supposed to do? LOOK at the reports and Find discrepencies before you blindly charge someone. The DA NEEDS TO RETIRE.
me said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 10:38 PM
This is endemic in law enforcement.
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