A former forensic scientist who handled some of the state’s most high-profile cases throughout her decadeslong career with Colorado Bureau of Investigation was charged this week with 102 felonies alleging she mishandled DNA testing, court records show.
Yvonne “Missy” Woods, 64, faces 52 counts of forgery of a government-issued document, 48 counts of attempting to influence a public servant as well as one count each of carrying out cybercrimes and perjury, according to court records.
She turned herself into the Jefferson County jail Tuesday, a spokesperson from the sheriff’s office said. She is being held in custody on a $50,000 bond, online jail records show.
Her attorney did not immediately return a request for comment.
An internal investigation found that Woods deleted data, tampered with DNA testing results and cut corners during her 29-year tenure at CBI, casting doubt on hundreds of cases. Prosecutors worry that more than 1,000 convictions could have relied on dubious evidence.
The probe into Woods’ work was launched in September 2023 after a coworker reported anomalies in her test data at the lab and found that she manipulated data in the testing process, and in some cases, posted incomplete test results in cases she handled between 2008 and 2023.
Woods retired from the agency, in lieu of termination, before the internal investigation was complete.
The fallout from Woods’ errors will cost the state millions as DNA samples must be re-tested and criminal convictions that relied on the now-questionable evidence must be reviewed. Nearly all of the incarcerated people affected are expected to challenge their convictions and an untold number could go back to trial
The Joint Budget Committee last year approved a $7.5 million addition to this year’s state budget to address the fallout and taxpayer costs are likely to grow, budget documents show.
In June, a 31-year-old man pleaded guilty to lesser charges in the killings of three people in 2017in the first prosecution in the state believed to be impacted by Woods’ work.
Prosecutors gave Garrett Coughlin the chance to make the plea partly because they were unable to call Woods to testify in a case that relied mostly on circumstantial evidence.
This is a breaking news story that will be updated.
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