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Orlando Criminal Defense Attorney Rajan Joshi in the News

Charges Dropped After Witness in Deputy's Trial Disappears

Posted September 28, 2007

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- An Orange County deputy charged with perjury may never stand trial. Criminal charges were dropped against Deputy Kevin Carter late Friday morning.

The charges were dropped against Deputy Carter after a second witness in the case disappeared. Carter was accused of perjury.

Prosecutors say Carter lied about a confidential drug informant. The State Attorney's Office, though, dropped the case Friday morning. A spokesperson said they could not go forward because they lost one of their witnesses.

Carter is now a free man. He won't be going to trial next week. Carter was charged with perjury after, prosecutor say, Carter lied about a confidential drug informant used to convict Ricky Stubbs.

Last week, prosecutors weren't able to located Stubbs and then, this week, the state lost the second witness.

"The crack-addicted prostitute has not been located. Last week, they could not locate the convicted felon, but they located him," said defense attorney Rajan Joshi. "I think after the state looked at all the evidence they had to go to trial, they didn't want to go forward.

"The state agreed and said it needs two witnesses to go forward. However, prosecutors said, if they find the other witness, they will re-file charges. In the meantime, Joshi said, his client's reputation has been ruined.

Carter had been suspended from the sheriff office. A spokesperson said it was unclear what Carter's future will be with the department.