Ft. Collins, Colorado Spent Nearly $500,000 on Officer Accused of Perjury in Murder Trial

Prosecutor dismayed he had to drop charges against cop, while internal affairs investigation continues

ABC 7 News in Denver delved into the costs behind the case of Lt. James Broderick, who has been on paid administrative leave for the last two and a half years while facing perjury charges related to an investigation he led of a 1987 murder. In 1999, a man named Tim Masters was convicted of first degree murder but in 2008 a re-examination of DNA evidence found it wasn't Masters' his conviction was vacated. In 2010, Broderick was charged with lying in the trial of Tim Masters, but now the prosecutor has had to drop all charges after an unfavorable ruling from the state Supreme Court, telling ABC 7 News it was a "sad day for justice in Colorado." The state Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal over two counts of perjury against Broderick dismissed in trial court. Those counts, the prosecutor said, "were critical to the case."

ABC7 News investigated how much Broderick's cost the city:

7NEWS found that Broderick has received $234,131.36 in two-and-a-half years on leave.

7NEWS also discovered that Broderick's defense has cost the city of Fort Collins $256,975. A city spokeswoman said the defense is paid through the city's risk management self-insurance fund.

"Needless to say, when I heard the numbers, I of course, was surprised," said Fort Collins Mayor Karen Weitkunat. "Those are the policies and procedures that were in place at the time this occurred."

Weitkunat was unaware of the dollar amounts until 7NEWS brought them to her attention.

Why should the mayor know how much police shenanigans cost the city when "policies and procedures" are in place? Meanwhile, the internal affairs investigation into Broderick continues so he remains on paid leave.