Mass. Chemist Expected To Change Plea In Lab Case

BOSTON (AP) — A change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for a chemist at the center of a Massachusetts lab scandal that has jeopardized thousands of drug cases.

Annie Dookhan has pleaded not guilty to obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence. On Monday, a court docket showed that a hearing for her to change that plea is scheduled for Nov. 22.

A judge said last week that she won't impose a sentence of more than three to five years if Dookhan decides to change her plea to guilty.

The docket also shows that a hearing on Dookhan's motion to suppress her statements to state police has been canceled. It had been scheduled for Wednesday.

Dookhan's lawyer did not immediately return telephone and email messages. A spokesman for the state attorney general declined to comment.

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