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Arapahoe County DA seeks federal grant to expand reviews of potential wrongful convictions
Summary
The district attorney’s office told commissioners it will apply for a Bureau of Justice Assistance grant worth about $500,000–$600,000 over three years to expand conviction‑integrity reviews, add two part‑time positions and fund DNA testing for cases tied to a former CBI analyst; the board signaled support.
The Arapahoe County District Attorney’s office told commissioners it plans to apply for a federal grant to expand reviews of possible wrongful convictions linked to work by a former Colorado Bureau of Investigation analyst.
"This grant recently came through for the Department of Justice. It is to look at wrongful conviction," the DA representative said, explaining the award would support a conviction‑integrity review process and expand the unit’s ability to accept applications from people asserting actual innocence.
Why it matters: county officials said the state forensic integrity notice tied to former CBI DNA analyst Missy Woods affects more than 1,000 cases in Arapahoe County alone. The DA’s office said many of those people may request reviews, and the grant would fund staffing and testing needed to evaluate claims.
What the DA asked for: the office described a two‑role staffing request — an attorney and an investigator — that would be funded by the grant. The presenter said the award would be roughly "$500,000 or $600,000 over the course of 3 years," and that the program would include funding for additional DNA testing.
Commissioners’ questions focused on cost and budgeting. County finance staff told the board there is no local match requirement and that any budget effects would be addressed during the next quarterly review if the grant is awarded.
Board response: commissioners expressed support during the discussion; one commissioner asked whether the grant required a match and was told it did not. There was informal assent from board members to proceed with the application.
Next steps: the DA’s office will apply for the Bureau of Justice Assistance grant and, if awarded, return with budget adjustments and implementation plans for hiring and case review timelines.
