Child Attack at Cooley Station (Part 1 of 2)

This is a case study co-presented by the case detective and the assigned prosecutor which details a violent attack on a 14 year old child on a Saturday morning in a quiet, suburban community by an unregistered Sex Offender from out of state. The case study walks through investigation and prosecution highlights as well as potential pitfalls. Updates to outdated departmental procedures are discussed for attendee benefit.

The prosecution involved other-act evidence that may not have been allowed without the outside-the-box thinking of the prosecutor and diligence of the case detective. This case has been presented at the Arizona Women’s Initiative Network Conference in 2019, virtually at the Dallas DCAC Conference in 2021, and in-person and virtually at the 2022 Dallas DCAC Conference. Ratings for this case study were above the DCAC Conference averages both years. The presenters are from the Gilbert Police Department and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in Arizona.