20 Years Later: Case of Michele Harris of Tioga County Still Open
35-year-old Michele Harris of Spencer was reported missing two decades ago and the state police investigation into her disappearance has not closed.
Authorities have said the mother of four was last seen on September 12, 2001. Her husband, Calvin, was charged with murder more than four years later.
Michele's body has not been found. Cal Harris was convicted in two trials but a third trial ended in a hung jury. Harris was acquitted of murder in a non-jury trial in 2016.
After 20 years, questions persist about what happened to Michele Harris.
A state police spokeswoman told WNBF News said a major crimes senior investigator advised her the case "never closed and remains open because she’s still missing."
The spokeswoman said investigators periodically go through old cases and occasionally have a “fresh set of eyes” look at the information that's been compiled.
Attorney Bruce Barket noted Harris was found not guilty by a judge in his fourth trial.
Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program on Friday, Barket said "the fact that a judge looked at the evidence here and acquitted him tells you that there was really, really nothing here at all."
During the live radio interview, Barket said "there's substantial evidence other individuals were involved" in the disappearance of Michele Harris but "I think we lack the will by the law enforcement community to go after them."
Barket said "they're just not willing to admit that they were wrong in their indictment and prosecution of Cal."
Barket is representing Harris in a malicious prosecution lawsuit in federal court.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 772-8400 extension 233.
For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.
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