FINALLY, some progress toward Justice for All, Justice for Washington

ABOUT TIME! Remember that the former Police Chief Reynolds wrote a letter to Paul Thomson back in 1999 (I believe I recall correctly) suggesting that an investigation into the prosecution by the Commonwealth Attorney should be conducted by the Attorney General or the Chief Justice. And what about the police notes of 2-17-1999 about Paul Thomson "skimming money from drug dealers"

*Special prosecutor sought in 1994 Winchester murder case

By Alex Bridges -- abridges@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- The father of a man imprisoned for a 1994 murder claims a court reporter altered transcripts of a hearing in his son's case.

After losing a civil suit in December, Frank Washington has sought a criminal probe into the matter.

Now Washington may get his wish.

Commonwealth's Attorney Alex Iden sought an order Thursday in Winchester Circuit Court asking a judge to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Washington's allegations.

Iden said he couldn't comment on the order except to say he filed the request because he felt a conflict of interest existed if his office remained involved in the investigation.

Washington recently approached the Winchester Police Department to look into his allegations the transcripts of a preliminary hearing held in the general district court Oct. 5, 1994 were altered purposefully to omit a person identified then as a potential witness in his son's murder case.

The incident number to which Iden refers in the court order is the same as the one given to the elder Washington, the father said. Washington expressed some satisfaction that his allegations may receive some attention by a special prosecutor.

Jeffrey Washington is serving a 70-year prison sentence for the Aug. 16, 1994, shooting death of 22-year-old Carlos Marshall.

The elder Washington maintains his son's innocence and has said he entered a plea agreement only after then Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Thomson threatened to seek the death penalty against the defendant in the case.

For further developments, visit nvdaily.com or read the print edition of The Northern Virginia Daily.