When Boston police officers fail to tell the truth, the department rarely calls a lie a lie
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Fifth in an occasional series. Read
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On the witness stand of a Boston courtroom, police Sergeant Stephen Green outlined the steps that led to a search warrant for an alleged drug dealerâs cellphone, which later led to a trove of incriminating text messages.
The Boston detectiveâs testimony in January 2019 helped seal a conviction and a four- to five-year sentence for drug trafficking.
But Greenâs story, according to new evidence, was untruthful. A forensic investigator determined that Green had been fishing through the phone for more than four hours before applying for a warrant â even at one point watching the defendantâs personal sex videos.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
We understand why some clerk magistrateâs hearings are private. Accusations are easy to make. Providing evidence to back up those accusations is more difficult, and you donât want to sully the reputation of an individual with a baseless claim.
Bagnall was investigated by the Edgartown Police. A detective spoke with Bagnall. He also spoke with Bagnallâs neighbor. And he examined evidence, including a videotape.
We petitioned clerk magistrate Liza Williamson for access to a clerk magistrateâs hearing involving Bagnall â and were denied.
We think Williamson got it wrong. Her reasoning just doesnât work in this case.