Jean: What’s a prosecutor’s duty to ensure a document he files is truthful?
Freedman objects. Overruled.
Goodenow: Absolutely.
Jean: What would be the effect of trials in NC if you couldn’t rely on truthfulness? Objection. Sustained.
Jean: How tough is it to get all these requests copied?
Goodenow: I’m lucky enough to have a person to do that. We document when we provide it. Her documents all have dates of when they were provided to the defense so if you see one without a date you know you need to provide it. “It’s sort of a housekeeping measure.” What a concept!
Another sustained objection. I think Williamson has begun to feel sorry for the defense.
Jean: Does it make any difference that prosecutors tell the truth about discovery matters? Objection. Sustained.
Goodenow: It’s rare that she is ever asked to verify that she has provided everything to the defense. But occasionally she’ll find something that she hasn’t given. When that happens she calls the defense to compare files to make sure they have everything.
Jean: What’s a prosecutor’s duty?
Goodenow: To see that justice is done. To be fair and honest. Goal is not to get a conviction or to win the case. “We should always seek the truth, we should always do the right thing. If we don’t, the public has no trust in us.” Says Nifong’s actions have undermined that trust. Some of that was already there but this has heightened that. Recounts an incident when a juror came in wearing a Duke lacrosse t-shirt to trial to make a statement about false prosecution. Recounts another case when a defendant said, “I’ve been Nifonged.”
No more questions from the prosecution. Afternoon break. I see Jim Cooney talking to Goodenow. I’ll bet it was his idea to get this impressive witness on the stand to discuss ethics.
