New Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said Wednesday (Jan. 19) that he plans to restore two units that will use DNA evidence to investigate unsolved crimes and re-examine old convictions.
Rosen made the comments at his public swearing-in ceremony in the rotunda at San Jose City Hall on Wednesday evening. The "Conviction Integrity Unit" will examine old cases to ensure that those convicted did in fact commit the crimes, and investigate law enforcement practices to make sure they do enough to prevent false convictions. The cold case unit will use DNA evidence to investigate unsolved murders, rapes and violent assaults.
"Our mission is not only to prosecute the guilty because the law mandates it, but when necessary to exonerate the innocent because justice demands it," Rosen said.
The audience at the swearing-in included Rosen's wife Amber and daughters Rachel and Naomi. Also in attendance were Chief Assistant District Attorney Jay Boyarsky, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, council members and other city, police and district attorney's officials.
"It sort of feels like my wedding," Rosen joked. "I feel like I married Santa Clara County."
Rosen vowed to adhere to values of service, hard work, transparency and integrity.
"A good prosecutor is one who tempers zeal with human kindness, who seeks truth and not victims, who serves the law and not factional purposes, and who approaches his task with humility," Rosen said, quoting the late Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson.
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Comments
College Terrace
on Jan 23, 2011 at 12:44 am
on Jan 23, 2011 at 12:44 am
No comment on the story, but I like the way you photographed Rosen with light coming out from behind his head. How did you do that? Or do you let candidates submit studio photos of themselves rather than taking them the way they are in real life? I see all these realtor photos. I realize they're in ads, something your news department has no control over, but they're ridiculous. The women agents, in particular, look abnormally young, smooth-faced and happy. I hope that doesn't become a trend in the news section. (None of this is meant as a criticism of Rosen, who I think will be a very successful D.A.)
Los Altos Hills
on Jan 23, 2011 at 12:50 pm
on Jan 23, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Agreed that P.R. shots these days are ridiculous,
but image/brand is everything to some people.
They get that effect by taking the shot early/late in the day
with the sun at the back (with an angle to offset so as not to interfere with the camera position). You will see a variation of this in shots of national leaders with 'halos' around their head as the shot is taken from the floor, looking up at the circular, well-lit ceiling of the state house they are in.
As a comment to the news of the story.
I hope he has luck using this new unit on the
un-prosecuted de anza college rape that was intentionally
overlooked by the previous d.a.
will be interested when it is revealed who
will be taken down in this unresolved matter.
Crescent Park
on Jan 23, 2011 at 8:19 pm
on Jan 23, 2011 at 8:19 pm
exact same story.......?
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