Court hears cases tied to state drug lab scandal

BOSTON (WHDH) -- Five defendants tied to the state drug lab scandal are expected to appear in "Boston Municipal Court" Friday morning.

Their goal is to appeal for their freedom now that the evidence in their cases may have been tampered with.

Meanwhile, police are already looking for one man because of the Jamaica Plain drug lab scandal which is proving to be very costly to the state.

Earlier this week convicted rapist Marcus Pixley failed to show up for a court hearing.

A bench warrant has now been issued for his arrest.

Annie Dookhan--the former state lab chemist allegedly worked on his case and Pixley was released on bail last month.

Dookhan was accused of mishandling thousands of pieces of drug evidence and falsifying reports about them.

Prosecutors are now trying to keep dangerous offenders from being released but city officials are bracing for problems.

"This is ridiculous...we're going to have to carry the burden because of a mistake on the states side and I just don't think it's right and I have to make sure public safety is number in the city of Boston,” said Mayor Tom Menino.

District attorneys will be asking the governor for money to hire prosecutors, investigators and support staff to deal with the cases that have to be reviewed.

Officials believed it may cost $10 million a year to resolve these cases and that it could take years.