Dan Conley

This is Tom Finneran -- listening to Finneran -- money AM 680 WR KOD is no other place to be we just at the governor in. Now the last hour read this spent a lot of time with -- took a lot of calls and we had now joined. By the District Attorney of Suffolk County that went on only Dan -- hey Dan welcome. Thank you -- happy to be yes. I'm glad you were able to join a stand you know I have my young gripes with the herald the lots and lots of reasons usually the complete waste -- front page space and usually nonsensical stories there with pretty tough on you yesterday and up say it right out because this is talk radio its opinion radio I don't think it was Fayette. I don't think it was right. I just don't think it was right what they would say and it's suggest that you've got a little feud going on though. With the with AM police commissioner of Ed Davis. Bomb going off that's not mind of SP the DA that's okay we we realize you do have another job so a little feud public spat over some changes in the command structure what are you just gotta give us a little bit of background on it. And I want to get into the Michelle McPhee story yesterday which I think was way over the top and way out of line.

Well sure thanks they have me on again look I want. -- program -- one city offices in the vote it Davis against unreasonable personalities of phone calls it really is a boat. Hala philosophy and approach to homicide cases and one of the -- to vote to Boston is. History tradition to deter any appointed the Boston Police Department to investigate homicides that your career Tia. That's entirely different from the way the rest of the state does this. Statute in the commonwealth. It's pretty clear on -- the District Attorney -- not many shall direct control homicide index investigations in the county. You know and you know some chemical 40 some years ago as best as we compete in the district concern. Consent to have Boston. On the side -- do investigations here in the city but. -- there was some merit in new debt will long and so what have you those investigations with -- directly out of the DA's office. It would be handled on the street by state police state attachment rights. To respond directly to mediate by the way doesn't respond -- state police -- nature captains state police.

They were I don't okay there where credit under the direction so Indian man bill Keating for example the District Attorney in an -- company John Blodgett -- Essex ball or Gerry Leon in Middlesex just named -- of the three most immediately surrounding companies the at all have state police working under the supervision while do you based on tradition as you say go back to Garrett burned work with the homicide team of the Boston Police Department.

That's correct in -- for example Jerry -- on building named commander of this state police detachment. They don't ask like it's supposed to currently saying okay you know I'm ready -- somebody else but this is the guy you want but that's so -- it -- I mean I have a guy in my office state police lieutenant terrorism in the Atlantic and Chelsea. I called her moments and look at what bill Christians and to be -- I commend you go on with the extent to the conversation. So basically -- What is occurred over the last several decades is that. The police commander in Boston. Homicide and look at is entitled to appoint anybody you want to division unit bureau it really doesn't concern me I really don't care about it. That's his call that's a decision and surely reflects a lot of very cute.

When he's trying to build his team.

Sure 41 job in the department and that's the commander on site and for many many many changes in the long as anyone can remember. And that decision was made jointly collaboration and communication with the -- That understanding with Paul Evans and it would cast the tool and in not only the commander by the everybody that comes in unit replies. -- me and my senior staff we need to make true. The men and women leaders in working in it sheer vision and a philosophy now stand it. Again thinking -- thinking about Middlesex Essex county imagines 25 for 35 municipalities in those counties all. Did get known cases they'd be 2535 different standards in place different philosophies different visions. Look we've worked very very elevate -- standards of homicide investigation and prosecution in this county. And need to tell you that in the not too distant past. Seems like Donald Johnson and Stephon count ones that we and we can go on -- on where the result of low standards shoddy. Investigation not saying that distracting so he's not his motives I think are good but in this instance. He took a guy incident about this particular guy either but I will say this about being -- He was.

Just for the benefit our audience stand Coleman was the head of the homicide unit he has been replaced by the day at the decision of commissioner Davis. With a new person so Dan Coleman when he he had that name. The reference point is that he was the just until a few days ago he was the head of the homicide unit for the Boston Police Department.

was I thought he would certainly -- agency but could be in by many and women in the least. The most experienced the most talented the most professional. And the most ethical police investigated -- seen he's an outstanding leader -- to respect everybody in the unit. In any really partly more importantly and that has to respect the court. And the judges and eat every credible member of the defense but. You know and and this is what was so troubling that just on just on Wednesday night. See myself but Coleman myself but it Davis addressed 75200 survivors. Ways of -- yup and then 40 though he's so but against the -- the -- him that is real concern. Might par. That you'd throw you know decades. Agreement and understanding because of this unique relationship because of this statute which obliges me. Which is might -- to do it it's a really ought to -- saying this but again.

and philosophy you mentioned the names of a couple of cases which I'd guess I'll put the adjective notorious associated with -- because in the yen. Those cases were thrown out. And I think that's probably -- what you're driving -- radio commentary giving us sharing with us the tradition. In history not only war was in who wear those cases the wrong people prosecuted and convicted it means something obviously in an erroneous conviction has to be. Rectified somebody's released it also means that so an innocent person -- jail. At least for a period of time and and and the perpetrators of these that the true criminal is some way out. Out the so it -- the worst of both. World's what you are suggesting was you know a troubling. A troubling sears circumstance from time to time in the not too distant past when DN Coleman came on apparently of making the point that he's on board with a level of criteria standards decision making crime scene standards in the like. That the minimize that risk.

No question in look at it again say this clearly at Davis doesn't want to go back in the bad old days. But I have to say is that you know when we -- Two attempts to respond to critics say when not moving fast enough. We need to make more arrests we need to get more people -- to street all of that's important I want 100% clearance rates OK but win. We do these things in their shoddy way to appease -- too shrill critics out there this is it real concern to me we've come too far you make an excellent point. That -- in the end is put in jail for a crime he didn't commit everybody loses this -- guys in jail for a crime he didn't commit how can society pretty him. Where.

Did you know what else that does that actually accelerate steps stops ditching mentality because people will use the error the mistake. As a justification for saying. Never talked to the cops never attacked the DA because they don't kid did just look at for a number. Did just look in for a statistic so stops -- mentality has a lot of reasons behind it none of which I agree with but. You know our road he has convictions just add fuel to that fire.

It would come to find out we've undertaken major reforms and that unit and in its approach in its standards in quite candidly vehicle was at the forefront of all of that. And as a result she earned respect and credibility for the department. Within my hospice with the with victims' families in the community perhaps more importantly judges. If you went to the courts to listen to some of these judges. After cases have been tried to conviction or acquittal quite candidly and the collectibles the the class of that unit I'm very proud of that I couldn't you know. Look I I it was tremendous confidence in the acting of the men and women. Of homicide unit in Boston that's way disagree and to do they weren't sure what it's it's very important that opera. The police commission and myself weapon species maybe whoever made you at least these. This tradition actually it collaboration of approach and philosophy must continually making it be thrown out you know latter. You know -- guy city guy like me there's been five district attorneys in Suffolk County since 1927 in the last EDE. This is inside of us. At the same time there's been dozens I. -- long range view of this while I want clearance rates to rise I I I -- lot. Countenance any. Fall back in high standards that I insisted on incitement DA and my police partners have adopted. And we're going to continue with those stands and cheerful given night in exchange messages are going to be talking with them today. We hopefully get together and sign this thing now. But you know I want people know that this is in the boat you know I believed likely this you know. I think at some cross words with -- fight police commissioners that the deal.

At different to have shot up that these wrote these high stakes high pressure cases you know while the screwed up and sometimes you know people's opinions on on legitimate things -- Going to disagree one of the things I'm going to do to any just on this topic I have Peter gills and his column from yesterday's Harold. Posted up on the IKO website it's a fabulous column. I think you know -- please speak specifically of David Meyer I don't know that I haven't met David -- about I've got to -- his reputation is splendid just splendid first rate as a human being frustrated as a prosecutor and so from a distance and in directly I've only just have nothing but a sense of profound admiration and respect for him the -- in his column is great -- cut the chase however Michelle McPhee in the same paper yesterday really I think goes right over the imagine in many ways on via lately and based view is kind of an. Well out out used to it and MIA District Attorney missing in action like -- the -- in -- is not at the scene. Which I don't think is actually in any way shape or form what would you sense did you read the Michelle McPhee I'll lobbyist in --

Well you know you could eat your positions. In public life you know these kind of attacks -- com. From time to time and that -- better be it would let the stuff -- back. So when someone like -- McPhee writes articles you know it really honestly doesn't bought can be too much because I think she's probably the least credible beat reporter in Boston you know pretty much everything achieve rights I take with a -- so -- right. I really think herald readers should take with a grain of -- look I get a web site. If anyone has any questions about which you grow up I'll give them ministry in and so that peace was full. Those inaccuracies distortions outright lies quite frankly looking lives. -- mixture early lifting. Getting law enforcement officials to be sensitive information a boat sensitive investigations. Refused to play that game. And as a result of that you know on paying the price. I'm -- relax -- standards when it comes to these cases because I don't care about numbers a terrible victims in the cable victims' families.

That can -- that's -- right heavy for the victims' families if the conviction doesn't stand the test of time if you secure you know less than accurate less than justified conviction -- 235 years later justice greased the wheels of justice grinding slowly it comes out that the person who wasn't jealous about the one can you imagine the feeling and the victims -- I know you can't imagine because -- Iraq times with those victims -- wouldn't have had to deal with a first hand over your merely --

In the early in the early you know he has my administration -- to sit down these folks and -- but you know we got the wrong guy you know people. Proceeded and I need to write this but. But the tragedy is the real killer -- but look. You know. This kind of stuff you know comes in goes with you know you've been to a false criticism. I have as well look I'm not perfect. -- the perfect DEA but I do my best each and everyday you know I'm not going to. You know -- to cheap seats. It cheap headline botany you're just recently in the last. Few months have had three of her call weeks. Independently without me. Asking don't trust and credibility in it was sort of credibility in news. I got out -- credibility outside I would just say to people look what you read stuff like this I -- me an email out.

Did anybody give us that website so we can make sure we provide at two RKO listeners as well I'll I'll not only route you know you can read it off right now on the -- but I'll make sure we posted up on our web sites -- is a good linked to what.

You don't. Public that some not that computer let us hot hot hot but I -- you Google the District Attorney and you'll get it you find call my office now.

Well we have peas in a pod because I'm not a particularly crack IT guy but I got a couple of guys who know what the heck did go on any of the enriched -- take care of that.

more people getting -- summation from from from the west from the website you know look I just an exact participated in an open. Forum at universal -- dot com and we do is ask me questions an audience of them it was it was it was unedited it was until that it was a wonderful experience. Aspect of war zone with -- When people. You know the nonsense like -- written yesterday. You know they can eventually you know get these kinds of chances directly from folks like I can't give them sensitive information both. Ongoing investigations like it won't give her country -- Rocketboom but I certainly India's. General it's a play you one of the difficult things that you know this is what site do. It's help these things affect your family in a devious tularemia how effective members might stand which -- paper yesterday. But will leave Lebanon -- that she's about seven years old -- downstairs to have breakfast. If she saw the herald on the kitchen table in the -- we're in the world has been on something like that my picture on the front page. And she got upset she says -- my brother Matt. Is uncle -- loss. And when my brother reassured her that I was alive and well and do my job in Boston right with the world so you know other than that. It was a good day yesterday.

What you know you give us some insight -- and to sometimes the methods and the motives of -- of reporters a columnist from time to time and in some of them are honorable and others have different a different style it is utterly incomprehensible to me. That legitimate reporter would have an expectation that you. Already other public official. Would compromise our share sensitive law reinforcements information that is just so five beyond the pay and you know I don't have any direct experience with Michelle McPhee. But how anybody can have a an expectation that. What you have to treat the with. The utmost discretion is somehow or other. Common common stuff stuff that get -- stuff that would talk about like the weather in the Red Sox and you know what are you doing for the weekend that kind of stuff.

It's singular -- As as as a public official and as a prosecutor I held to very very high standard. Not only generally speaking but by the bar by the appeal by the by by area. The board of -- opens the and I am limited in prohibited greatly from saint certain things in the media by the by the court of ethics that we as lawyers -- raw -- but. But beyond that. To give sensitive information to somebody who's going to publish it and and compromise in the investigation is just important to me. You know -- it was something by the ways that the superintendent Coleman refused to do as well. In for that reason we find ourselves in the classic -- clubs like we shall say so you know it's very very important that everyone understand. That each and -- 27 men and women -- bought the place on the side. In the 12 so prosecutors in my office who worked closely with them usually nothing. That he would make us proud and saw each and every one of these cases. But it it is really 90s but to understand how difficult it is. To identify a suspect in the environments we teach slips out of the shadows of 3 in the morning. Sprays a group of people with shots and disappears back in the shadows leaving no DNA or fingerprints or biological evidence. And the folks who shot themselves criminally involved tell the police to go pound sand we're not going to tell you anything. They take matters into their own hands is an element of vigilantism but couldn't decent honest people of our city are in bed because they have to work the next day. Biscuit to debt. Who testified here intimidated all -- need to do is come over and sit down and watch one of these trials. In you'll get a clear sense not going to get it herald. You know by someone like comics say sit in the courtroom and listen to that kind of obstacles that these cops and the prosecutors have to deal.

You and I have talked about the witness intimidation D any people being followed -- saying hey we know we live we know -- daughter goes to school. The stops -- code all the rest of that stuff I mean really from from my perspective citizen taxpayer and resident of the city of Boston EU folks -- chasing needles in hay stacks without any aspect of cooperation because of that -- And you know intimidation.

It -- that criticism. At this see any one to one person any. Ought to 27 men women and investing in these cases to -- is so demeaned. So wrong headed while. Clearance rate might not satisfying a couple. Critics in the media. What ought to satisfy all of us as citizens. Is that in the police arrest people accuse them on the side as very monumental accusation 90% of those individuals go to jail. Most of them for the rest in natural light up and that's 20 points higher than the national average. That's what matters at the end of the day is the evidence on the stand the test of time.

Well that's the gist certainly the -- this column which again will low post you might be aware I don't know if you've seen it yet to anybody in today's globe this a leaded to the editor. From a criminal defense attorney not. Not inclined to be -- aside. But speaks really in very positive way is about the standards of the department officer Coleman's leadership. Of those standards that you've that you made reference -- so make sure you look at that well that led it to the editor from James Doyle Brookline but a criminal defense lawyer who has done defended dozens -- according to him a dozen homicide cases both before in NAFTA -- Coleman's stewardship and I before it before you go I've got to compliment you on on really two things resisting the notion to make this a paper chase a statistics. Just hey have got to pump up some numbers so the hell with really the real implications -- just chase some numbers in the resistance to. For whatever reason a reporter's motives and you know desperate search for some type of a story. And the like and last but not least maybe I have to meet with commissioner Davis who's also been on here and we're kind of encouraged by the leadership in -- spring into the department if -- consider given us a recap on whatever conversation a meeting I have with the commissioner. You have a net meeting today if it may -- give us a thought for recap on that tomorrow. That'd be at that be great stuff because this -- huge topic for rest here and I KO we try to do a lot of it we swept the way you do about the good people who are caught in this you know this process by a of crazy people out there in the streets.

Look it's doing a terrific job. I admire so much of what he's doing this is a bump in the road for us one you know got a -- public but is it from me. It's not a body -- mean it's a vote. She envisioned negotiate philosophy look at all the risk and the city will go forward in these cases will be investigated prosecuted. In the most highly ethical -- And manner with integrity that citizens can be happy with and proud.

When you know with get you back here and I K -- in the commission is as well because in the end that comes down all those folks out to that I continue to make preference to. We want to make sure the deal lives have some tranquility that the kids can learn and grow would succeed in the like. And not be subject of this type a nonsense that we see all together and I streets or keep up the good work in -- unit. The with the prosecutors as well and give Barry gets the homicide unit we know it's a team. Little bump in the road and that's all it is is a bump in the road and other than that will be in touch it Dan --

Thanks Tom appreciate the opportunity to come in -- right thank you that's.

And District Attorney Dan Connolly. Giving us the update on the the changes at the homicide department and what his goals and objectives -- that department and the extraordinary work that they continue to do