Forensic scientist gets plea deal on 102 felony counts for altering/deleting DNA evidence

LINK

The former top Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist accused of altering and deleting DNA evidence in scores of criminal cases across the state for years pleaded guilty to four criminal counts Tuesday in Jefferson County.

Yvonne “Missy” Woods, 65, changed her plea rather than face trial on 102 felony charges that included one count of cybercrime, one count of perjury, 48 counts of attempt to influence a public servant and 52 counts of forgery.

She now faces up to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of the original indictment. Jefferson County District Judge Andrew Poland accepted the pleas.

Woods had initially pleaded not guilty to all charges in February, more than a year after her arrest. Her trial, expected to last more than a month, had been scheduled to begin in September.

Her sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 8.

She pleaded guilty to one of each of the charges she faced, the most serious being the cybercrime. She faces from eight to 16 years on that count. Had she been found guilty at trial, she could have faced up to 24 years on that count and a fine of up to $1 million.

On Tuesday, she also pleaded guilty to one count of perjury, forgery and attempt to influence a public servant. While those counts also carry prison time, she will serve those sentences concurrently, according to the plea agreement.

Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Darren Kafka said at the hearing Tuesday morning that his office had insisted that Woods serve time in prison for her crimes, adding they have had significant impact on the community.

Woods, dressed in a black pantsuit with her hair pulled back in a bun, spoke calmly and clearly when asked if she understood the plea arrangement and that she was waiving her right to trial. As each of the four counts was read, she replied “guilty.”

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation issued a statement saying Woods acted alone, adding that crimes “constituted intentional criminal fraud carried out by a single individual.”

The agency added that “CBI has undertaken reforms that go beyond routine compliance and reflect a commitment to national best practices in forensic science.”

...