Bump for the reality of this movie.
"Please vote to preserve the unique character of Warren…" - Robert Duvall

That's ok, whether you're convinced or not is immaterial.
I am right and you are wrong.
Calm down, and breathe. This is a civil conversation.
So many stories, so little time.

You will never convince me.
I am right and you are wrong.
"Please vote to preserve the unique character of Warren…" - Robert Duvall

Were there any actual eye witnesses to Fat Fish?
Other guards but they may not testify against their captain.
Pretty much the entire cellblock witnessed the murder.
If they put convicts on the stand The defense attorneys will argue and convince the jury that these are criminals who are killers and liars.
Doesn't make them liars. Especially if all hundred have the same account. Plus, there is the actual body of a brutally beaten man which can be exhumed.
And true, there was no witness to Tommy's murder, but judging from the fact that Hadley broke down in tears during his arrest, it's doubtful he'll be much stronger under interrogation.
And yes, it is a movie, but that also can extend to how much they were able to get away with. In real life, we see corrupt people go to jail a lot. Even things that are initally covered up get brought to light.
So many stories, so little time.

The only murders we saw was the fat fish and then later on of Tommy or whatever Mr. Rock n Roll's name was.
Were there any actual eye witnesses to Fat Fish?
Other guards but they may not testify against their captain.
No one for Tommy.
If they put convicts on the stand The defense attorneys will argue and convince the jury that these are criminals who are killers and liars.
There is just not enough evidence nor legit and honest eye witnesses to do much for anything of any of these cases.
Only reason why we saw justice served was because it was a movie and they want to give us a happy ending at those who wronged Andy.
Prisons are a whole other world where there is corruption and crimes where they get away with all sorts of stuff.
I dunno if they get away with money laundering and murder but I can see how they could easily be covered up as it was in Shawshank.
"Please vote to preserve the unique character of Warren…" - Robert Duvall

There are plenty of other prisoners who could testify to the brutality and murder. Andy wouldn't need to be the only one.
So many stories, so little time.

I am the OP of this thread.
I changed my user name as you can see.
Anyway I am bumping this and am still not convinced that they could go after the criminal staff in the prison without Andy as a material witness.
To make it believable, IMO, Andy should have turned himself into the DA with a lawyer and said, "I have all this evidence showing the corruption, crime and murder at SS," gotten witness protection in a hidden safe house then Hadley would have to vouch that indeed Andy was innocent for the crime he was convicted for.

As I said, that's predicated on the DA moving solely with just whatever Andy sent in. No doubt they did their own investigation. Of course they're not just going to take the word of an anonymous ledger. They're going to look into every bit of it.
And there would be plenty of people to put on the stand. Andy may have been the bookkeeper, but he wasn't the only one aware of all the shady dealings going on. Every contractor the warden did business with would be under investigation and potential witness.
Plus, it wasn't just about the money laundering. There was the brutality and murder allegations as well.
So many stories, so little time.

There is just not enough evidence nor witnesses to build up a case as they showed.
They will need to put someone on the stand and they don't have Andy who was the only one who had the direct knowledge of the money laundering.
IRL they would have gotten away with such flimsy evidence.
Especially stuff mailed in anon. that could have been easily faked.
"Please vote to preserve the unique character of Warren…" - Robert Duvall

A couple of important points. With the State Police focused squarely on Andy's escape it would not take to long to notice the resemblance of Randall Stevens to Andy. Secondly, they never had ATM's and I doubt the Warden would continually gamble on some night deposit box. The Warden no doubt would want a deposit slip to know that the money was credited to the proper account. Therefore the Warden would bring the deposits in during normal banking hours. More than one person there would have picked up on the Warden depositing Stevens' money. Further, to satisfy the bank the Warden would have to have a mailing address to send statements to which would leave yet another trail. Even if a PO Box somebody most likely would take note of the Warden coming in on a periodic basis for mail. Given that the Warden has a family and home he would not have a PO Box for that purpose which create more doubt on the Warden.

Without key witnesses, such as Andy and anyone else involved with the handling of the money as well as anyone who saw Tommy killed, they got nothing.
Not at all. They have a money trail. And DA's love following the money. Again, witnesses are nice, but not necessary when there's other evidence.
And I doubt they would raid the prison like that for arrests without bringing in the criminals first to question as part of their investigation.
Why's that? What exactly where police procedures 50 years ago?
All Andy sent is was a ledger. How is that going to be iron clad evidence?
You assume the DA would just stop with that evidence. No, no. They do some more investigating. They investigate the validity. Clearly, Andy left them enough to arrest, at the very least.
I don't think it would even be enough for a newspaper story either.
An escaped convict leaking details about a corrupt warden's books? That would most definitely make for a newspaper story. Even today, corruption in government is big news.
Especially since he is now an escaped con and the one who took out the money from the banks is an alias.
Doesn't matter if he's an escaped con. If the evidence is there, that's what they'll go with. Plus, he didn't take all the money. So there's still some left to tie to the Warden.
Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

The only way a DA pursues a case is if they have enough evidence to take it to trial to convict.
Without key witnesses, such as Andy and anyone else involved with the handling of the money as well as anyone who saw Tommy killed, they got nothing.
And I doubt they would raid the prison like that for arrests without bringing in the criminals first to question as part of their investigation.
All Andy sent is was a ledger. How is that going to be iron clad evidence?
Especially since he is now an escaped con and the one who took out the money from the banks is an alias.
I don't think it would even be enough for a newspaper story either.
Humans are not the only species on earth.
We just act like it.

1. He's a convicted escaped felon.
2. They may think he just fabricated it all for revenge.
   Since they have no key witness, the person who sent it in, they are missing a key piece of convicting evidence. Therefore, no case.
   Incorrect. They would still look into it. A scandal like this is too big to ignore. Remember, Andy sent it to the papers as well. The DA better damn well look into making a case. Otherwise, they'll have egg all over their face.
   Plus, just because the information came from a convict doesn't mean they won't use it. Heck, convicts turn informants all the time. So, no, they wouldn't just laugh at him.
   Prosecutions are conducted without witnesses all the time.
   Third, another key piece of evidence is gone. Long gone.
   The money.
   It just up and disappeared like a fart in the wind with Randall Stevens.
   Without that, they have nothing. Just a bunch of numbers in a book, which again, could be all made up.
   He didn't take it all. And just because the money is gone, doesn't mean they won't prosecute for the crimes. They do all the time. They know that money disappears. Or stolen goods get sold. It doesn't change that a crime took place.
   The way Andy could keep books, the evidence he sent was no doubt practically a treasure map.
   None of what you mentioned is actually a plot hole.
   Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.