If you watch

watch police procedural you know a lot about the first part of a

detective's job. When a crime happens, they investigate, gather evidence, interview

witnesses, identify suspects. Then comes the second part. When a case goes to trial, a detective

often has to testify in court. The prosecutor puts them on the

stand as a witness to walk the jury through the details of the investigation. It's a key

step in turning an arrest into an actual conviction. That's why these

voicemails are so striking. Hey Detective Murphy, I wanted to reach out to you one more time.

I do think we need you on this case there is no problem with calling you

to the witness so we give me a call it's a prosecutor pleading almost begging a

police officer to testify at a homicide trial.

The officer didn't respond, so he called again.

Hey, Detective Murphy, I understand you have issues, but this is a murder case and we kind of need you. It makes any difference this guy is a really bad guy.

So can you put your differences aside and focus on me getting the sky that would be helpful. Thank you. The man who received that voicemail, St. Louis Detective Roger Murphy.

He never testified, despite being the lead detective.

Despite the fact that he believes the man on trial did beat a person to death,

and in the end the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. Consider this.

The story of why Detective Murphy refuses to testify is also the story of a power struggle playing

out across the country between progressive prosecutors and people in the criminal justice system who resist their policies.

Was it the right thing to do? In my mind, yes.

And other people's mind, probably in your mind, it wasn't the right thing to do.

From NPR, I'm Ari Shapiro. It's Tuesday, November 28th.

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