SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Authorities have dropped murder charges in the 1989 death of woman who was found strangled at the San Jose airport because the prosecutor had an affair with a DNA analyst who testified at a court hearing.
The Santa Clara County district attorney announced Tuesday that charges were dropped against Cathy Zimmer’s estranged husband, David Zimmer, and brother-in-law, Robert.
DA Jeff Rosen apologized to Zimmer’s family but says his office has an ethical duty to enforce the laws objectively. He says the charges will be refiled.
Zimmer, a 38-year-old mother of two, was found strangled in her car at the airport in 1989. Her husband later collected on two life insurance policies.
The prosecutor and criminalist who had the affair have been reassigned to other duties.
