A case that was first reported on over two decades ago, then silenced for nearly 20 years and brought back to life in 2021, after a law enforcement operation to collect DNA led to a match of a retired Border Patrol agent, will no longer see a courtroom in Cochise County after the decision of County Attorney Lori Zucco called for a dismissal of charges in the case last week citing weaknesses in the charging and handling of the case.
According to the press release issued by Zucco’s office dated September 23, Cochise County Superior Court granted the request to dismiss with prejudice the charges of kidnapping and sexual assault against John Daly arising from a 2001 attack of a woman in Bisbee.
Zucco said in the release, “This was an extraordinarily difficult decision, but after a comprehensive review of the case, I concluded it was the most responsible, appropriate course of action.