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GOLDEN, Colo. — A judge sentenced a former forensic analyst for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to 10 years in prison on Tuesday after authorities said her manipulation of DNA data raised questions about the validity of hundreds of criminal cases.

Yvonne “Missy” Woods pleaded guilty in June to perjury, attempting to influence a public servant, forgery and committing a cybercrime. Dozens of other counts were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Problems with the scientist’s work were found in cases involving homicide, sexual assault, robbery and other crimes, according to authorities. Prosecutors were forced to review hundreds of cases, and at least one murder conviction was vacated as a result of Woods’ misconduct.

Woods had faced eight 8 to 16 years in prison at Tuesday’s sentencing hearing before state District Judge Andrew Poland in Golden.

She resigned in 2023 after a decadeslong career. Authorities accused her of altering data to conceal tampering, deleting data that showed she failed to troubleshoot issues within the testing process and not thoroughly documenting tests performed in case records.

Woods apologized during Tuesday’s hearing but said she knew saying sorry would not undo the harm she caused, the Denver Post reported.

“For many years I was entrusted with evidence that could have profound consequences for defendants, victims, families and the courts. I failed that responsibility. I am deeply sorry for that failure,” she said.

Following the sentencing, Colorado Bureau of Investigation officials said they have sought to reform their laboratories in response to the data scandal as they try to rebuild public trust.

“The actions of one individual never define this organization, and they do not define the dedicated public servants who continued showing up every day with integrity,” bureau Director Armando Saldate said in a statement.


https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-new...yst-manipulated-dna-data-sentenced-rcna596722
 
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Nicolas Cage sinkhole drama spirals as neighbors are forced from homes… but there's no sign of Oscar winner​











Nicolas Cage's Malibu neighbors have been instructed to evacuate their homes as a result of the massive sinkhole that opened on his street and swallowed up the driveway of his $10.5 million beachfront mansion.

Firefighters discovered the calamity early Tuesday morning after responding to a suspected gas main break, a public information officer told KTLA.

That day, the City of Malibu issued an emergency order declaring an 'imminent danger' to the residents of Cage's street, Sea Level Drive.

Seven homes had by then been red-tagged, meaning they were marked unsafe for occupancy, as a result of 'hazardous conditions' the sinkhole itself created.

A further 24 residences were due to be red-tagged because 'safe vehicular access' to them had been impeded by the damage to the road.

Cage, who purchased his home on Sea Level Drive in 2024, is not known to have been spotted in the vicinity of the property since the crater appeared.

The Daily Mail has contacted Cage's representative for comment.

The sinkhole, according to the City of Malibu, had an astonishing estimated width of 30 by 60ft and a depth of approximately 25 to 30ft.

Such a 'large portion' of Sea Level Drive has 'collapsed' that large emergency vehicles like fire trucks can no longer get through, the proclamation said.
 
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