[Editor’s note: Russell Calpatura on October 4 last year was accused of possessing meth.]
Law Office of Attorney Thomas Fisher–[On Monday], Russell Calpatura was fully exonerated, all pre-trial conditions were lifted and his case dismissed. Mr. Calpatura endured three months of unjust accusation from the attorney general who, when pressed by Mr. Calpatura to prove the case, admitted he could not.
The dismissal by Attorney General Douglas Moylan—who has widely marketed himself as “the toughest AG on crime”—was necessitated by a sloppy investigation and significant mishandling of the case.
Attorney Thomas J. Fisher, Mr. Calpatura’s legal counsel, strongly criticized the negligence that led to his client’s unwarranted prosecution. “This case represents a failure in the justice system to uphold the principles of fairness and due process,” stated Fisher. “While I am relieved that Mr. Calpatura’s innocence has been affirmed, the mishandling of this case caused unnecessary suffering to an innocent man. The attorney general should reflect upon the power of his office to upend a citizen’s life and behave in a responsible, professional manner.”
Throughout this ordeal, Mr. Calpatura endured months of uncertainty and distress, facing the potential of severe consequences despite a lack of credible evidence. The dismissal brings long-overdue relief, but it underscores the critical need for greater accountability and diligence in the administration of justice to prevent such injustices from occurring in the future.
This outcome is a sobering reminder of the importance of meticulousness and integrity in prosecutorial practices to safeguard the rights of every individual under the law.
