orange county district attorney
It's a rare move and leaves Scott Dekraai likely facing eight consecutive life sentences.
Legal experts say the jurors' "witch hunt" finding demonstrates the need for an independent probe in Orange County.
As sheriff's department officials clam up, the sentencing in an Orange County massacre remains mired in misconduct.
But that hasn't stopped his Orange County prosecutors from using them to secure convictions for decades.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
The snitch scandal has already upended more than a dozen Southern California murder cases.
"The factual record in this case is troubling," a judge said of prosecutors' alleged misuse of a jailhouse informant.
DA Tony Rackauckas requested the U.S. probe hours after a new report ripped his office for a "win at all costs" mentality.
Prosecutors who withhold evidence from the defense can be booted from a case.
Erik Petersen is accused of mishandling critical evidence affecting several criminal cases.