DAVID ASHENFELTER of the Detroit Free Press on U.S. prosecutor apologizes to Sterling Heights man who was arrested by mistake:
A prosecutor sheepishly told a federal judge in Detroit this morning that federal agents arrested the wrong man Wednesday in their attempt to bust up a ring that allegedly smuggled 200 Middle Easterners to the United States since 2001.
“We sincerely apologize to Mr. Denha and his family,’’ Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Hegyi told federal Magistrate Virginia Morgan at a hearing at the U.S. Courthouse in Detroit.
Contrast this prosecutor’s apology with the “won’t back down” style of District Attorneys frequently confronted with DNA evidence exonerating people they once vigorously prosecuted with circumstantial evidence. However, Mr. Denha has plenty of right to be angry. If his reputation is damaged, it must be repaired by those responsible. That said, Hegyi should be credited for doing something that few government lawyers ever do – admit their mistakes.
Hell has frozen over. Again.