Selection of homicide chief raises concern

SAN FRANCISCO, D.C., Feb. 3 (UPI) -- San Francisco's District Attorney has picked as head of her homicide unit a prosecutor who once was reportedly faulted in a wrongful murder conviction.

George Butterworth, 55, was selected to run a staff of six homicide prosecutors in District Attorney Kamala Harris' office, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

During his 29 years in the DA's office, Butterworth handled 75 felony trials, including the prosecution in the 1989 street shooting of an 18-year-old youth.

Two men arrested later insisted they were innocent but each received sentences of 25 years to life in prison. In 2003 a federal judge reversed the conviction of one and called Butterworth's actions in the case "troubling." Eventually, both men were released.

An attorney, who represented one of the two accused in the 1989 case, said Harris' selection of Butterworth was "kind of shocking."

Harris said after taking office, she retained two outside lawyers to look into the case. Without disclosing details, she said she has full faith and confidence in Butterworth's professional integrity.