Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW From the council: City's responsible budgeting yields benefits ... Two wheels to freedom: Phoenix camp helps kids with disabilities learn to ride ... Rocker's old house vaults Williams into the spotlight ... From the council: City's responsible budgeting yields benefits ... Two wheels to freedom: Phoenix camp helps kids with disabilities learn to ride ... Rocker's old house vaults Williams into the spotlight ... OTHER VIEWS Other Views: Detective's sentence violates public trust Comment By The Oregonian MailTribune.com By The Oregonian Posted Dec. 20, 2014 at 12:01 AM By The Oregonian Posted Dec. 20, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Deputy District Attorney Paige Clarkson spoke convincingly last week about the deep violation of public trust resulting from an Oregon State Police detective's misconduct. The family members of four victims had depended on Det. Dave Steele to investigate the quadruple murders committed by white supremacists David "Joey" Pedersen and Holly Ann Grigsby, Clarkson railed. Steele personally promised one victim's family "that he would do right by them," she said. Instead, he committed forgery and official misconduct, photocopying a supervisor's authorization on one police report and altering it to accompany another, she said. It was just one of many misconduct allegations that nearly caused the high-profile case to collapse. "They lost faith in the criminal justice system as a result of his conduct," she said. Then, with a straight face, Clarkson recommended that a Marion County Circuit judge sentence the 47-year-old detective to 18 months — of probation. The judge agreed and Steele was soon on his way out of the courtroom. That is what the public's trust is worth in Marion County these days. On reflection, the public should be grateful that the Marion County District Attorney's office did anything about Steele, who was dismissed from the Pedersen case a year ago after federal prosecutors first suspected misconduct by the lead detective. In his office's first review of the case, District Attorney Walt Beglau declined to bring any criminal charges against the detective. Apparently, the accounts from the federal prosecutors who worked with Steele, the stacks of unlogged evidence and confidential recordings between Pedersen and his legal team found in Steele's work area, and Steele's own conflicting statements did not amount to sufficient evidence for Beglau to file any charges against the detective. But in other venues, the accusations only snowballed. Steele's alleged failures in investigating the case led to arguments over possible violations of Pedersen's constitutional rights. A federal judge eventually concluded that Steele likely destroyed evidence in what was a potential death-penalty case. And so when Oregon State Police belatedly discovered that Steele had photocopied a supervisor's signed authorization on one police report and altered it before affixing it to another police report, Beglau's office decided to take a second look at Steele. That resulted in last week's all-in-one arraignment, plea and sentencing. As part of his sentence, Steele must also pay $300 in fines— a paltry sum, especially considering the time and money the Marion County DA's office is now spending to review every other case that Steele has helped investigate for Marion County since 2001. Later, outside the courtroom, Clarkson defended the sentence, noting that Steele was resigning his job as a result of his misconduct. But once again, it's clear that she and her office are missing the point. Steele's misconduct and felony conviction are the reasons he cannot serve as a law enforcement officer. That's not punishment — that's a disqualification. But unfortunately, the distinction is lost on those who are supposed to be prosecuting him. As for the idea that the public was harmed? Beglau's office didn't even request a minimal sentence of community service, despite the lip service paid to the idea of the public's trust being violated. It should go without saying that the strength of our criminal justice system depends on the integrity of those responsible for carrying it out. As Marion County Presiding Judge Jamese Rhoades reminded Steele last week before sentencing him, law enforcement officers are "the ones who are supposed to wear the white hats at all times." Unfortunately, it's not just Det. Steele who appears to have forgotten in this case. Wearing the white hats "at all times" includes those painful circumstances when you're prosecuting one of your own. By The Oregonian MailTribune.com By The Oregonian Posted Dec. 20, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501