Posted by Margaret Petros
a resident of Los Altos
on Aug 30, 2023 at 12:08 pm
Margaret Petros is a registered user.

Deepest sympathy for the Houts' family and friends. Justice delayed is justice denied!! Stay strong and keep your loved one, Laurie Houts, beautiful memories in mind. I have to say that I have respect for the Judge's decision that must be very hard to make when there is so much emotions involved and a DA who is persisting with an incomplete legal work on a very important case. I know from experience in helping families of murder cases as a Victim Advocate and in sitting for weeks and months in murder trials, the Santa Clara County DA Crime Lab is DIRTY. I actually see a serious conflict of interest when DA Offices run the Crime Evidence Labs. In a death penalty case few years ago, I heard the crime lab technician testify that she diluted the evidence until she got a positive test. I still can't believe my ears and think maybe I heard it wrong, but she did repeat that more than once......unbelievable!! That case the jury unanimously acquitted and will never know the truth how a 2-year-old precious child died.

Positive thoughts and hope for justice for all survivors. Can't imagine how survivors can recover and have peace when the real killer is out and about.

Posted by levens
a resident of Green Acres
on Aug 30, 2023 at 3:26 pm
levens is a registered user.

The legal principle of "double jeopardy" is hardly a constitutional "technicality." It is a basic constitutional right. The question, however, is whether the judge was correct in applying that principle to this case. From what I have read and from the appellate court's initial ruling, it appears she may have incorrectly interpreted the results of the earlier trials which ended in mistrials and a dismissal by the trial court judge.