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CNN TodayLAPD Recommends 99 Convictions be Thrown Out Because of Crooked OfficersAired January 27, 2000 - 1:38 p.m. ETTHIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR: Police in Los Angeles say they know of 99 convictions that need to be thrown out because crooked officers worked on the cases. Twenty-one convictions have been overturned so far, hundreds more are being reviewed. CNN's Charles Feldman has been following this story for months. Here's the latest. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Los Angeles Police Department says it no longer has faith in the convictions of 99 individuals all involved on cases worked by form LAPD officer Rafael Perez. CHIEF BERNARD PARKS, LOS ANGELES POLICE: I am committed to eliminating any corruption within LAPD, and I have recommended through our task force that the district attorney resolve these cases immediately. FELDMAN: The corporation scandal again to unfold after former Officer Perez was caught red-handed stealing cocaine from a police evidence locker. As part of a plea agreement, Perez implicated himself and other officers in crimes ranging from planting evidence to shooting unarmed suspects. LAPD Chief Bernard Parks says he is in favor of disposing of all 99 convictions at once, although that number includes 21 convictions already overturned. The Los Angeles District Attorney's office has already said it plans to seek the dismissal of as many as three dozen cases in the next few weeks while it works to build cases against suspected rogue officers. VICTORIA PIPKIN, SPOKESWOMAN, LOS ANGELES CO. DISTRICT ATTY.: The investigation is ongoing, and as we develop the materials and the information, we are going into court as quickly as we can. FELDMAN: At least 20 police officers are currently under investigation, and more may be soon, and most law enforcement officials in Los Angeles believe the number of wrongful conviction cases will skyrocket Charles Feldman, CNN, Los Angeles. (END VIDEOTAPE) TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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