http://www.salon.com/2016/06/10/dis...gives_lying_cop_feather_duster_slap_on_wrist/
District Attorney Seth Williams last week allowed a Philadelphia narcotics officer who openly admitted to committing perjury to enter a diversion program that will spare him both prison time and a conviction. In exchange, Christopher Hulmes has agreed not to seek reinstatement as a Philly cop. Though prosecutors were aware of Hulmes’ perjury for years, Williams’ office only filed charges after it was exposed in the press.
As for the District Attorney’s Office, they not only failed to prosecute Hulmes but continued to call him to the stand long after an unknown number of prosecutors in his office were aware of the admitted perjury. It was only after I exposed Hulmes’ lying that District Attorney Seth Williams’ office charged him with perjury, however grudgingly — even after my story was published, for a while, they continued to call him to the stand.
Williams has received minimal public criticism for his lackluster approach to criminal justice reform. Instead, the district attorney has been consumed by a bizarre and sordid feud with Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane involving pornographic emails and grand jury leaks. Williams, known for having an outsize ego, always runs toward scandal, and the local media has obliged by covering every twist and turn. Civil rights advocates and defense lawyers in Philadelphia, however, remain focused on Williams’ spotty track record on abusive police and prison guards, and his lack of concern for righting wrongful convictions.
Members of the District Attorney’s Office had long known about the lying, and seemingly did nothing. Who in Williams’ office knew what, and when, is a key outstanding question—and the answer may help shed light on why he is being treated with kid gloves.
District Attorney Seth Williams last week allowed a Philadelphia narcotics officer who openly admitted to committing perjury to enter a diversion program that will spare him both prison time and a conviction. In exchange, Christopher Hulmes has agreed not to seek reinstatement as a Philly cop. Though prosecutors were aware of Hulmes’ perjury for years, Williams’ office only filed charges after it was exposed in the press.
As for the District Attorney’s Office, they not only failed to prosecute Hulmes but continued to call him to the stand long after an unknown number of prosecutors in his office were aware of the admitted perjury. It was only after I exposed Hulmes’ lying that District Attorney Seth Williams’ office charged him with perjury, however grudgingly — even after my story was published, for a while, they continued to call him to the stand.
Williams has received minimal public criticism for his lackluster approach to criminal justice reform. Instead, the district attorney has been consumed by a bizarre and sordid feud with Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane involving pornographic emails and grand jury leaks. Williams, known for having an outsize ego, always runs toward scandal, and the local media has obliged by covering every twist and turn. Civil rights advocates and defense lawyers in Philadelphia, however, remain focused on Williams’ spotty track record on abusive police and prison guards, and his lack of concern for righting wrongful convictions.
Members of the District Attorney’s Office had long known about the lying, and seemingly did nothing. Who in Williams’ office knew what, and when, is a key outstanding question—and the answer may help shed light on why he is being treated with kid gloves.
