DC's US Attorney Makes Cold Cases a Key Priority

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top prosecutor for the District of Columbia is making solving cold case homicides a key priority during his tenure.

U.S. Attorney Ron Machen (MAY'-chen) last fall assigned three veteran prosecutors to work exclusively on solving some of the thousands of existing cold cases in the city. They partner with a team of homicide detectives, meeting when a new lead arises or when there's evidence or witnesses to review. There's more time to review old cases since the number of killings in D.C. has dropped dramatically in the last two decades.

Machen, a former trial prosecutor with the office, says he has a personal interest in cold cases. He says solving a cold case helps criminals know that they haven't escaped justice.