PDF: Grand Jury report
Hamilton County’s regular grand jury has ended its four-month term and written a grim report of its frustrations to Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman.
“We cannot help but wonder if most of this isn’t a senseless exercise in futility,” the report stated. “Law enforcement works very hard to get the criminals off of the street; the lower courts generally do what they can at their level; the grand jury does its duty in deciding which cases should be sent to Criminal Court; and then, far too often, Criminal Court quickly releases them to begin the whole catch and release process once again. What is wrong with this picture?”
Marsha Crabtree, foreman of the grand jury, said the report was presented to Judge Steelman on Wednesday.
Steelman could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.