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However, as soon as the police began pursuing MacDonald as their prime suspect, they ignored any evidence indicating that he was not guilty. That is simply an unacceptable method of investigation.
However, the incompetent investigation, on its own, may not have been enough to ensure MacDonald's conviction. It is important to understand that the police and the prosecution work as a unit. The prosecution was convinced of MacDonald's guilt and worked diligently to make sure that exculpatory evidence was never presented to the jury. While it may seem that the police had no responsibility for how the evidence was used, that assumption is simply not true. Many of the investigating officers and laboratory technicians were aware that the prosecution was attempting to suppress exculpatory evidence. In fact, there were notes in files, indicating that they were aware of this bias. The individual officers should have been less complacent and should have done everything they could have done, including going to the defense; to make sure that the defendant was aware of exculpatory evidence. Unfortunately,...
While the incompetent investigation contributed to MacDonald's conviction, it may not have led to an inevitable conviction. However, the incompetent investigation, biased judge, and dishonest prosecution made MacDonald's conviction a certainty. It remains to be seen whether MacDonald will ever receive an opportunity for all of the evidence to be weighed in a criminal court of law.
References
Boston, J. (2007). Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald. Retrieved August 8, 2007 from Crime Library
Web site: http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/family/jmacdonald/1.html
MacDonald Defense Committee. (2004). Case Facts. Retrieved August 8, 2007 from the MacDonald Case
Web site: http://www.themacdonaldcase.org/Case_Facts.html
Web site: http://www.fataljustice.com
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