FORT COLLINS, Colo.—A police lieutenant under investigation for his work leading to a murder conviction for Tim Masters, who was later freed in light of new DNA evidence, is preparing to head up the late-week daytime patrol division.
Jim Broderick is one of several lieutenants being shuffled into new positions as part of a rotation of duties that occurs every one to three years, police spokeswoman Rita Davis told Fort Collins Now.
Broderick is wrapping up his duties as head of the internal affairs department and is due to start his new assignment March 24.
Police Chief Dennis Harrison has said the new assignment has nothing to do with the investigation into Broderick’s work after the death of Peggy Hettrick in 1987.
Tim Masters was convicted in 1999 of killing Hettrick on circumstantial evidence. Masters’ conviction was overturned in January after new DNA testing could not link him to the crime.
Masters’ lawyers argued that Broderick hid and manipulated evidence that could have acquitted Masters and lied in court testimony.
Special prosecutors from the Weld County District Attorney’s Office are investigating those allegations, along with accusations of illegal wiretapping. That investigation is expected to be concluded by the end of March, said Weld District Attorney spokeswoman Jennifer Finch.
Special prosecutors from Adams County earlier concluded police and trial prosecutors did not deliberately withhold evidence that could have helped Masters’ defense.
