[saalweachter]

Apropos of the "your DNA was found on a gun" thing, what are the standards of evidence for charges that don't go to trial and plea deals? Can the DA/police essentially make something up, offer you a plea deal, and then -- if you confess and take the plea -- never follow it up with any real proof?

I'm curious because -- knowing nothing about forensic science -- that statement sounds really weird, and regardless of whether it's a sensible statement or whether it's true in this individual case, I'm curious if there's a loophole that lets the police badger suspects with non-existent evidence.

[bproper]

The DA needs to present enough evidence at a grand jury to get an indictment. After that, at least in NY, much of the evidence does not have to be shared until trial. Plea deals in these big crew conspiracy cases often occur without the defendant seeing much of the evidence against them.