A Boston tourist says in an exclusive NY1 report that he is scarred for life after a New York City police officer allegedly brutalized him during an arrest last month. NY1's Jeanine Ramirez filed the following report.
When Anthony Daly of Boston visited the city last month, he walked around normally. But his leg was broken in three places on December 27, the night he was taken into police custody at a Midtown hotel, and now doctors now say Daly may never walk the same way again.
A security video from the Hotel Chandler shows one of the arresting officers kick Daly twice in the back of the leg while he was handcuffed, which sending him screaming to the hallway floor.
"Scared [expletive deleted]. Thought I was going to die," said Daly. "He broke my ankle first. And I said, 'If my ankle broke,' and he said, 'I'm not finished.' And he put his foot again and he broke the back of my leg."
In the video, Daly appears to be walking fine between two officers as they remove him from the hotel room until he gets kicked and kicked again. He never gets back up until emergency medical technicians arrive and lift him onto a stretcher, and put a splint on his leg, for a trip to St. Vincent's Hospital.
Daly underwent surgery and X-rays show doctors put in a titanium rod and screws.
"When I was in the room, the cop who broke my leg in the hotel was there with me all the time," said Daly.
Daly was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and harassment. Police told NY1 the arresting officer, Joseph Bonner, was just trying to sweep Daly's feet out from underneath him and that Daly might have already broken his leg trying to keep officers out of the hotel room.
Daly's troubles started at the bar of the Hotel Chandler on the night of December 27. Police say Daly was drunk and abusive and assaulted the bartender, the doorman and two patrons.
Daly admitted he was drinking and getting rowdy, and exchanged some words with Englishmen who were singing English football songs.
"I put my hands on their backs and just said, 'Sing it up boys, sing it up. That's all that's left of your little empire, soccer,'" said Daly.
He said he then went upstairs to join his wife Ellen in their room but soon police come banging.
"I said if you haven't got a [expletive deleted] reason to arrest me, why don't you get the [expletive deleted] out of here because I want to go to bed. He said, 'I'll think of a reason,'" said Daly. "And with that, Ellen got out of the bed and I put my hand up to stop him and say, 'Stay where you are.' And he just pushed the door and pushed me on top of Ellen."
Bonner's incident report says he witnessed domestic violence in the hotel room, a claim Daly's wife Ellen denies.
"He said at that point, 'That's it, he just shoved you. You're under arrest for domestic violence.' And I said, 'What are you talking about? He didn't shove me," said Ellen Daly.
The Dalys say they want the charges dropped and have filed a complaint of excessive force with the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Lt Ralph Schrader Sentenced for Stalking Ex-Wife
A Lakeland police lieutenant was sentenced Friday to 30 days in jail and 11 months of probation for stalking his ex-wife.
Polk County Judge Beth Harlan insisted on looking into Ralph Schrader's eyes before imposing the punishment.
The judge expressed outrage at Schrader's "arrogance," noting that both of his children suffered through testifying during his week-long first-degree misdemeanor trial.
"If they're not the most important people in your life, they should be," she said.
Harlan said she also was troubled by Schrader's misuse of his city-issued cellular phone and computer to harass his ex-wife.
She ordered that Schrader undergo psychological and domestic violence evaluations as well as any recommended treatment.
The judge ordered that the evaluations and treatment information be shared with the Lakeland Police Department.
The sentencing came after a six-member jury, consisting of three men and three women, found Schrader, 45, guilty of stalking.
Jurors spent about an hour and half deliberating before reaching their verdict.
The judge did agree to withhold adjudication - a formal finding of guilt.
Assistant State Attorney Hope Pattey urged the judge to adjudicate Schrader guilty of stalking.
She said Schrader refused to admit that he tormented his then wife for several months as they were finalizing their divorce.
"He should not be a law enforcement officer anymore," Pattey said.
The Lakeland Police Department's general orders say officers charged and found guilty of a misdemeanor can retain their jobs with the department or face penalties, which could include a maximum of termination.
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Polk County Judge Beth Harlan insisted on looking into Ralph Schrader's eyes before imposing the punishment.
The judge expressed outrage at Schrader's "arrogance," noting that both of his children suffered through testifying during his week-long first-degree misdemeanor trial.
"If they're not the most important people in your life, they should be," she said.
Harlan said she also was troubled by Schrader's misuse of his city-issued cellular phone and computer to harass his ex-wife.
She ordered that Schrader undergo psychological and domestic violence evaluations as well as any recommended treatment.
The judge ordered that the evaluations and treatment information be shared with the Lakeland Police Department.
The sentencing came after a six-member jury, consisting of three men and three women, found Schrader, 45, guilty of stalking.
Jurors spent about an hour and half deliberating before reaching their verdict.
The judge did agree to withhold adjudication - a formal finding of guilt.
Assistant State Attorney Hope Pattey urged the judge to adjudicate Schrader guilty of stalking.
She said Schrader refused to admit that he tormented his then wife for several months as they were finalizing their divorce.
"He should not be a law enforcement officer anymore," Pattey said.
The Lakeland Police Department's general orders say officers charged and found guilty of a misdemeanor can retain their jobs with the department or face penalties, which could include a maximum of termination.
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Officer Michael Sumpter Jr Arrested for Domestic Violence
An Oklahoma City police officer and a woman who lives with him were arrested Thursday after the report of a domestic assault, police said.
Michael Charles Sumpter Jr., 23, was arrested on a complaint of domestic abuse in the presence of a minor.
Kendra Nicole Hanley, 20, was arrested on complaints of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and domestic abuse in the presence of a minor.
When police arrived about 4:20 p.m. to a house in the 400 block of Summit Ridge Drive, they found two sections of a wooden door trim with a security chain that appeared to have been broken in half. According to the police report, officers confiscated a pistol and a single round of 9 mm ammunition.
Both Sumpter and Hanley were taken to jail, and both later posted bail.
Police plan to have a press conference about the arrests today at 2:30 p.m.
Michael Charles Sumpter Jr., 23, was arrested on a complaint of domestic abuse in the presence of a minor.
Kendra Nicole Hanley, 20, was arrested on complaints of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and domestic abuse in the presence of a minor.
When police arrived about 4:20 p.m. to a house in the 400 block of Summit Ridge Drive, they found two sections of a wooden door trim with a security chain that appeared to have been broken in half. According to the police report, officers confiscated a pistol and a single round of 9 mm ammunition.
Both Sumpter and Hanley were taken to jail, and both later posted bail.
Police plan to have a press conference about the arrests today at 2:30 p.m.
Former Corrections Officer Samuel Martinez Jr Accused of Having Child Porn on His Blackberry
A former Nebraska Corrections officer could face up to 20 years n prison for allegedly having images of naked children on his phone, said Lancaster County investigators.
An arrest warrant was issued for 27-year-old Samuel Martinez Jr.
Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Joe Kelly said investigators found the images on Martinez's Blackberry.
The images allegedly showed children as young as a year old, according to an arrest warrant.
The warrant detailed other findings, including photos of a young girl wearing a dog collar and another girl with hands bound by a rope.
Investigators said they don't believe Martinez took the photos himself.
"They were all disturbing and as young as 6 and 7 years old," Kelly said.
Martinez was an officer at the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center in Lincoln. He held the job for year and then resigned after being accused of sending explicit text messages to a 17-year-old girl. Kelly said the teen's mother reported the messages to police.
Martinez was charged with misdemeanors and paid $50. He was released and investigators kept his cell phone. They then found the images on the phone.
Martinez has yet to be arrested on the new felony charge. Kelly said investigators don't know his location.
If convicted of the child pornography charges, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
He's scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 8 for the misdemeanor charges.
An arrest warrant was issued for 27-year-old Samuel Martinez Jr.
Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Joe Kelly said investigators found the images on Martinez's Blackberry.
The images allegedly showed children as young as a year old, according to an arrest warrant.
The warrant detailed other findings, including photos of a young girl wearing a dog collar and another girl with hands bound by a rope.
Investigators said they don't believe Martinez took the photos himself.
"They were all disturbing and as young as 6 and 7 years old," Kelly said.
Martinez was an officer at the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center in Lincoln. He held the job for year and then resigned after being accused of sending explicit text messages to a 17-year-old girl. Kelly said the teen's mother reported the messages to police.
Martinez was charged with misdemeanors and paid $50. He was released and investigators kept his cell phone. They then found the images on the phone.
Martinez has yet to be arrested on the new felony charge. Kelly said investigators don't know his location.
If convicted of the child pornography charges, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
He's scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 8 for the misdemeanor charges.
Officer Edmon Fulkerson Fired for Shooting Weapon into Air At Party
A Fort Worth police officer has been fired for shooting his city-issued weapon into the air at a party after someone squirted him with a water pistol.
In an internal investigation, officer Edmon S. Fulkerson admitted that he had been drinking throughout the evening and that he did not initially remember the incident, according to a letter filed with the Civil Service Commission on Friday.
The indefinite suspension went into effect on Monday. Fulkerson, who has been with the department since March 2004, has appealed.
Fulkerson’s attorney, Chris Barrett with the Combined Law Enforcement Agencies of Texas, said he disagrees with some of the purported facts outlined in the charging letter and looks forward to a hearing in which the city must prove what they allege happened.
In addition, Barrett said he believes the discipline handed down by the department is extremely harsh.
"While we don’t downplay its seriousness and we realize there’s some accountability to be hand, termination is just grossly excessive in this case," Barrett said.
According to the letter, Fulkerson was off-duty when he attended the party at a police officer’s home in Burleson on the evening of July 31.
The letter states Fulkerson admitted to internal investigation that he had been drinking beer and a couple mixed drinks through the evening and that his faculties were impaired. The letter states he told investigator that he did not immediately remember the incident but that "memory of the events began to return after several days."
According the letter, Fulkerson was sitting near the pool in the backyard of the home in the early morning hours of Aug. 1 when someone squirted him with a water pistol.
"Officer Fulkerson 'became angry’, drew his City issued Sig .40 caliber firearm from a holster in his waistband and discharged the weapon one time into the air," the letter states.
The letter states that after the shot was fired, other off-duty officers at the party secured Fulkerson’s weapons and arranged a ride home for him.
The letter points out that the shooting occurred in a residential neighborhood in which houses are closely surrounded by others.
"Officer Fulkerson displayed his city issued firearm in complete disregard of those people around him," the letter states. "Officer Fulkerson then completely disregarded the safety of others by his decision to discharge a firearm within a populated area and placing innocent persons in peril, as it is unknown where that projectile landed."
The letter also states Fulkerson failed to immediately notify the police department that he discharged his weapon, a violation of policy.
In an internal investigation, officer Edmon S. Fulkerson admitted that he had been drinking throughout the evening and that he did not initially remember the incident, according to a letter filed with the Civil Service Commission on Friday.
The indefinite suspension went into effect on Monday. Fulkerson, who has been with the department since March 2004, has appealed.
Fulkerson’s attorney, Chris Barrett with the Combined Law Enforcement Agencies of Texas, said he disagrees with some of the purported facts outlined in the charging letter and looks forward to a hearing in which the city must prove what they allege happened.
In addition, Barrett said he believes the discipline handed down by the department is extremely harsh.
"While we don’t downplay its seriousness and we realize there’s some accountability to be hand, termination is just grossly excessive in this case," Barrett said.
According to the letter, Fulkerson was off-duty when he attended the party at a police officer’s home in Burleson on the evening of July 31.
The letter states Fulkerson admitted to internal investigation that he had been drinking beer and a couple mixed drinks through the evening and that his faculties were impaired. The letter states he told investigator that he did not immediately remember the incident but that "memory of the events began to return after several days."
According the letter, Fulkerson was sitting near the pool in the backyard of the home in the early morning hours of Aug. 1 when someone squirted him with a water pistol.
"Officer Fulkerson 'became angry’, drew his City issued Sig .40 caliber firearm from a holster in his waistband and discharged the weapon one time into the air," the letter states.
The letter states that after the shot was fired, other off-duty officers at the party secured Fulkerson’s weapons and arranged a ride home for him.
The letter points out that the shooting occurred in a residential neighborhood in which houses are closely surrounded by others.
"Officer Fulkerson displayed his city issued firearm in complete disregard of those people around him," the letter states. "Officer Fulkerson then completely disregarded the safety of others by his decision to discharge a firearm within a populated area and placing innocent persons in peril, as it is unknown where that projectile landed."
The letter also states Fulkerson failed to immediately notify the police department that he discharged his weapon, a violation of policy.
Officer Jeremy Reynolds Arrested for Rape
DeKalb County Police Officer has been charged with rape and aggravated sodomy for an incident involving a person in custody.
Police arrested 23-year-old Jeremy Reynolds as he reported for work Friday. DeKalb County Police spokesman Jason Gagnon says the arrest stems from an incident occurred last September though he wouldn't reveal any more details about Reynolds' accuser.
Reynolds has been a DeKalb cop for two years and also faces two counts of violating his oath of office.
Gagnon says his former colleague has been placed on administrative leave pending termination.
Police arrested 23-year-old Jeremy Reynolds as he reported for work Friday. DeKalb County Police spokesman Jason Gagnon says the arrest stems from an incident occurred last September though he wouldn't reveal any more details about Reynolds' accuser.
Reynolds has been a DeKalb cop for two years and also faces two counts of violating his oath of office.
Gagnon says his former colleague has been placed on administrative leave pending termination.
Two Probation Officers Being Investigated
Muskegon County’s longtime chief District Court probation officer has been ordered to go on administrative leave, another probation officer has been fired, and an internal investigation of their activities is under way.
On paid leave since Thursday is the court’s Chief Probation Officer Ronald Malone. Fired Wednesday was Probation Officer Brandon Kantola.
Both were escorted from the Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice by sheriff’s deputies.
Both officers are involved in 60th District Court’s Sobriety Court, which recently won a two-year, $500,000 federal stimulus grant to expand the jail-diversion program.
Malone’s leave is for an indefinite period while an investigation is under way, said Chief District Judge Harold F. Closz III. “It’s an internal investigation at this point,” he said Friday.
Closz declined to say what the investigation concerned or whether it was related to Sobriety Court.
Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague said Friday he is aware of the internal investigation, but that it hadn’t been referred to police. “Law enforcement has been notified, and I expect that we will do an additional investigation once we are provided information from the District Court,” Tague said.
In recent years Malone and Kantola have been involved in Muskegon County’s Sobriety Court, which involves intensive, court-supervised probation and oversight of participating criminal defendants, mostly people charged with driving while intoxicated. Malone, the county staffer who oversees it, has been described as the court’s main organizer and “architect.”
Closz said Malone’s absence and Kantola’s departure won’t cripple Sobriety Court. “Obviously we’re short-staffed at this point in time, but we have other people that have picked up these responsibilities, and we’re marching ahead,” Closz said.
Malone did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Kantola does not have a listed telephone number.
On paid leave since Thursday is the court’s Chief Probation Officer Ronald Malone. Fired Wednesday was Probation Officer Brandon Kantola.
Both were escorted from the Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice by sheriff’s deputies.
Both officers are involved in 60th District Court’s Sobriety Court, which recently won a two-year, $500,000 federal stimulus grant to expand the jail-diversion program.
Malone’s leave is for an indefinite period while an investigation is under way, said Chief District Judge Harold F. Closz III. “It’s an internal investigation at this point,” he said Friday.
Closz declined to say what the investigation concerned or whether it was related to Sobriety Court.
Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague said Friday he is aware of the internal investigation, but that it hadn’t been referred to police. “Law enforcement has been notified, and I expect that we will do an additional investigation once we are provided information from the District Court,” Tague said.
In recent years Malone and Kantola have been involved in Muskegon County’s Sobriety Court, which involves intensive, court-supervised probation and oversight of participating criminal defendants, mostly people charged with driving while intoxicated. Malone, the county staffer who oversees it, has been described as the court’s main organizer and “architect.”
Closz said Malone’s absence and Kantola’s departure won’t cripple Sobriety Court. “Obviously we’re short-staffed at this point in time, but we have other people that have picked up these responsibilities, and we’re marching ahead,” Closz said.
Malone did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Kantola does not have a listed telephone number.
Police Beating Caught on Video
The lawyer representing a man sentenced for assaulting a police officer is questioning how his client was handled when Winnipeg police officers arrested him.
The parking lot assault in February 2009 was caught on a store surveillance camera on Notre Dame Avenue. At one point it appears Cody Bousquet turns to officers but then is pushed back down. It appears officers strike and knee the man a number of times while he is on the ground.
Officials with the Winnipeg Police Association say the tape does not show everything that happened that night. There was a violent high speed chase where cars were rammed before the arrest in the parking lot of an auto parts store.
"The officers obviously don't have an opportunity to determine if this guy is completely defenceless, or without weapon," said Marc Pellerin with the police association. "So you do the appropriate and safe thing, which is take him down, take him down hard and be done with it."
At one point in the video officers remove an object from the suspect but CTV has not been able to confirm what that object was.
Although Bousquet pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and dangerous driving his lawyer Daniel Manning says the tape raises issues in respect to the Crown being able to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
"There would have been credibility issues, one, and perhaps charter arguments down the road, unreasonable, excessive force," Manning said.
The Winnipeg Police Association says it was the officers themselves who realized the incident was caught on tape and obtained a warrant so the video could be turned over to the courts.
The video has impacted the outcome of the case according to the Director of Prosecutions at Manitoba Justice, Don Slough. Slough says normally the Crown asks for 24 to 30 months in this type of case but because of the tape, Bousquet's lawyer and the Crown came to a joint recommendation of 11 months which is essentially 22 months with two for one credit for time served.
Bousquet may consider filing a complaint about the conduct of the officers that night.
The parking lot assault in February 2009 was caught on a store surveillance camera on Notre Dame Avenue. At one point it appears Cody Bousquet turns to officers but then is pushed back down. It appears officers strike and knee the man a number of times while he is on the ground.
Officials with the Winnipeg Police Association say the tape does not show everything that happened that night. There was a violent high speed chase where cars were rammed before the arrest in the parking lot of an auto parts store.
"The officers obviously don't have an opportunity to determine if this guy is completely defenceless, or without weapon," said Marc Pellerin with the police association. "So you do the appropriate and safe thing, which is take him down, take him down hard and be done with it."
At one point in the video officers remove an object from the suspect but CTV has not been able to confirm what that object was.
Although Bousquet pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and dangerous driving his lawyer Daniel Manning says the tape raises issues in respect to the Crown being able to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
"There would have been credibility issues, one, and perhaps charter arguments down the road, unreasonable, excessive force," Manning said.
The Winnipeg Police Association says it was the officers themselves who realized the incident was caught on tape and obtained a warrant so the video could be turned over to the courts.
The video has impacted the outcome of the case according to the Director of Prosecutions at Manitoba Justice, Don Slough. Slough says normally the Crown asks for 24 to 30 months in this type of case but because of the tape, Bousquet's lawyer and the Crown came to a joint recommendation of 11 months which is essentially 22 months with two for one credit for time served.
Bousquet may consider filing a complaint about the conduct of the officers that night.
Former Officer Robert Kennedy Convicted of Sexual Assault Gets Early Release
A former city police lieutenant convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy won an early release from a parole board Thursday.
Robert Kennedy, who served 12 years as a lieutenant with the city's police department, is scheduled to be released on July 9 after serving 18 months in prison — exactly half his sentence. He was convicted of second-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor, illegal sexual contact and third-degree possession of child pornography after a teenager said he and Kennedy engaged in oral sex.
Kennedy was one of seven men, including a judicial marshal and a city businessman, with whom the boy said he had sex in 2007, sometimes for money.
Although Kennedy, 48, didn't comment in January 2009 when he was sentenced to three years in prison, he gave the parole board detailed answers and explanations over the course of 45 minutes as he pleaded for his release on Thursday morning.
"Why I did that single incident is open for exploration," Kennedy said. "This person was really flattering me in exponential terms. You know, everything, from my teeth to my hair to the way I was built and here I was 45 years old and here was this very young, attractive, good-looking guy paying me all sorts of compliments. I can only equate it as a type of gay, mid-life crisis, Achilles' heel that I succumbed to."
The board conducted the parole review using a video conferencing system. Kennedy was in a small room in Cheshire Correctional Institution looking up at a camera, while the board watched him on an old Sony television in a conference room on the fifth floor of a state building on West Main Street in Waterbury.
Kennedy, who seemed calm through the review, could see and hear the board. Kennedy's family members, including his mother, two sisters and brother, filled a room in New Haven where they also watched the hearing via a video feed.
Kennedy is openly gay, and said he had long-term relationships with men, but the oral sex he had with the teen was the result of "unflattering urges."
He told the board his routine was to "tour the city" in his police SUV, then head to Hamilton Park to prepare himself for the day with a cup of coffee. He told the board he saw the boy on a grassy knoll in the park. Although it was a sunny day in March, the boy, who was 15 at the time, caught his attention because he was wearing a T-shirt and "inappropriate" clothing.
Kennedy said he struck up a conversation with the boy, finding he was a student in a city school.
The boy said Kennedy gave him a ride home in his police SUV and the two exchanged cell phone numbers. After his shift ended, Kennedy picked the boy up at his house and the two returned to Kennedy's home, where they had sex.
Robert Kennedy, who served 12 years as a lieutenant with the city's police department, is scheduled to be released on July 9 after serving 18 months in prison — exactly half his sentence. He was convicted of second-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor, illegal sexual contact and third-degree possession of child pornography after a teenager said he and Kennedy engaged in oral sex.
Kennedy was one of seven men, including a judicial marshal and a city businessman, with whom the boy said he had sex in 2007, sometimes for money.
Although Kennedy, 48, didn't comment in January 2009 when he was sentenced to three years in prison, he gave the parole board detailed answers and explanations over the course of 45 minutes as he pleaded for his release on Thursday morning.
"Why I did that single incident is open for exploration," Kennedy said. "This person was really flattering me in exponential terms. You know, everything, from my teeth to my hair to the way I was built and here I was 45 years old and here was this very young, attractive, good-looking guy paying me all sorts of compliments. I can only equate it as a type of gay, mid-life crisis, Achilles' heel that I succumbed to."
The board conducted the parole review using a video conferencing system. Kennedy was in a small room in Cheshire Correctional Institution looking up at a camera, while the board watched him on an old Sony television in a conference room on the fifth floor of a state building on West Main Street in Waterbury.
Kennedy, who seemed calm through the review, could see and hear the board. Kennedy's family members, including his mother, two sisters and brother, filled a room in New Haven where they also watched the hearing via a video feed.
Kennedy is openly gay, and said he had long-term relationships with men, but the oral sex he had with the teen was the result of "unflattering urges."
He told the board his routine was to "tour the city" in his police SUV, then head to Hamilton Park to prepare himself for the day with a cup of coffee. He told the board he saw the boy on a grassy knoll in the park. Although it was a sunny day in March, the boy, who was 15 at the time, caught his attention because he was wearing a T-shirt and "inappropriate" clothing.
Kennedy said he struck up a conversation with the boy, finding he was a student in a city school.
The boy said Kennedy gave him a ride home in his police SUV and the two exchanged cell phone numbers. After his shift ended, Kennedy picked the boy up at his house and the two returned to Kennedy's home, where they had sex.
Witness Says Officer Shot Unarmed Teen
A teenage boy lays on the ground unarmed with his arms at his side, when police officer kicked him twice in the face, stepped back and opened fire, a witness states.
Atusabai Taimalia told the jury he was sitting at a table on his back porch drinking coffee and smoking with his mother when he saw Terrell Markham run into a courtyard at the corner of N. Medical Center Drive and Temple Street and hide behind a bush.
About 40 feet behind Markham, who was then 16, came Officer Adam Affrunti, who was holding his service firearm in his right hand as he yelled for the teen to stop.
Taimalia said the officer threw Markham, grabbed the teen's jacket, threw him on the ground and kicked him in the left side of the face.
"After the kick, I didn't see (Markham) move anymore and I thought he was passed out," Taimalia said, adding that he saw the teen's eyes roll up from more than 50 feet away.
Taimalia, who spoke in court through a Samoan interpreter, was the first witness called by the defense in Markham's criminal trial. The teen is charged with brandishing a firearm at a police officer, possessing stolen property and street terrorism.
Authorities say Markham ran from the officer, refused to comply with orders and was pulling a gun out of his back pocket when Affrunti shot him three times. Defense attorney Dale K. Galipo has argued that Markham did not have a gun.
A .40-caliber H&K semi-automatic handgun stolen from a federal agent's house was found at the scene.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Ron Webster asked Taimalia a series of detailed questions about exactly what the man could see from his porch, pointing out that an air conditioning unit attached to a nearby building could have partially blocked Taimalia's view of the incident.
The man claimed he could see everything and tried to pinpoint on a diagram where Markham's head and legs were as he lay on the ground.
Although it was clear that a language barrier caused some confusion throughout Taimalia's testimony, he did contradict himself at least once.
He initially said that his wife was in the courtyard watching the couple's 4-year-old son play at the time of the shooting. But Taimalia later insisted that she was inside the house sleeping when Markham was shot.
Whether or not a woman was present in the courtyard is important because Affrunti has said that a woman yelled, momentarily distracting him as he held Markham at gunpoint. When he looked back, the officer says the teen was pulling a gun out of his back pocket.
Galipo, the defense attorney, has implied that there was no woman and that Affrunti concocted a cover story out of fear of being disciplined for firing on Markham. It was Affrunti's sixth officer-involved shooting in 16 months.
The prosecutor also tried to show a relationship between Taimalia and the defense, bringing up the fact that Taimalia did not appear in court after the District Attorney's Office subpoenaed him but was there Thursday at the defense's request.
Taimalia testified that he had come to court the day prosecutors requested, but sat in the back of the courtroom without telling anyone he was there.
Webster also elicited information that at least three of Markham's friends or family members came up to Taimalia in the courtroom hall when the jury broke for lunch to shake his hand and say thank you.
Taimalia said on the stand that they simply thanked him for coming.
Testimony in the trial resumes Monday.
Atusabai Taimalia told the jury he was sitting at a table on his back porch drinking coffee and smoking with his mother when he saw Terrell Markham run into a courtyard at the corner of N. Medical Center Drive and Temple Street and hide behind a bush.
About 40 feet behind Markham, who was then 16, came Officer Adam Affrunti, who was holding his service firearm in his right hand as he yelled for the teen to stop.
Taimalia said the officer threw Markham, grabbed the teen's jacket, threw him on the ground and kicked him in the left side of the face.
"After the kick, I didn't see (Markham) move anymore and I thought he was passed out," Taimalia said, adding that he saw the teen's eyes roll up from more than 50 feet away.
Taimalia, who spoke in court through a Samoan interpreter, was the first witness called by the defense in Markham's criminal trial. The teen is charged with brandishing a firearm at a police officer, possessing stolen property and street terrorism.
Authorities say Markham ran from the officer, refused to comply with orders and was pulling a gun out of his back pocket when Affrunti shot him three times. Defense attorney Dale K. Galipo has argued that Markham did not have a gun.
A .40-caliber H&K semi-automatic handgun stolen from a federal agent's house was found at the scene.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Ron Webster asked Taimalia a series of detailed questions about exactly what the man could see from his porch, pointing out that an air conditioning unit attached to a nearby building could have partially blocked Taimalia's view of the incident.
The man claimed he could see everything and tried to pinpoint on a diagram where Markham's head and legs were as he lay on the ground.
Although it was clear that a language barrier caused some confusion throughout Taimalia's testimony, he did contradict himself at least once.
He initially said that his wife was in the courtyard watching the couple's 4-year-old son play at the time of the shooting. But Taimalia later insisted that she was inside the house sleeping when Markham was shot.
Whether or not a woman was present in the courtyard is important because Affrunti has said that a woman yelled, momentarily distracting him as he held Markham at gunpoint. When he looked back, the officer says the teen was pulling a gun out of his back pocket.
Galipo, the defense attorney, has implied that there was no woman and that Affrunti concocted a cover story out of fear of being disciplined for firing on Markham. It was Affrunti's sixth officer-involved shooting in 16 months.
The prosecutor also tried to show a relationship between Taimalia and the defense, bringing up the fact that Taimalia did not appear in court after the District Attorney's Office subpoenaed him but was there Thursday at the defense's request.
Taimalia testified that he had come to court the day prosecutors requested, but sat in the back of the courtroom without telling anyone he was there.
Webster also elicited information that at least three of Markham's friends or family members came up to Taimalia in the courtroom hall when the jury broke for lunch to shake his hand and say thank you.
Taimalia said on the stand that they simply thanked him for coming.
Testimony in the trial resumes Monday.
Former Officer Michael Walters Arrested for Sexual Assault
A former Big Sandy police officer was arrested earlier this week and charged with aggravated assault and aggravated sexual assault, Cass County Sheriff James "Troop" Estes said Thursday.
Michael Wesley Walters, 35, was arrested after his wife brought evidence of the assault to the sheriff's department and pressed charges, Estes said. He remained jailed Thursday on $500,000 bond.
The Big Sandy police chief was not available for comment on Thursday.
Michael Wesley Walters, 35, was arrested after his wife brought evidence of the assault to the sheriff's department and pressed charges, Estes said. He remained jailed Thursday on $500,000 bond.
The Big Sandy police chief was not available for comment on Thursday.
Cpl Nick Massaro Resigns After Posting Sexual Ad on Craigslist
A city police corporal has resigned after an internal investigation found he posted a sexually explicit ad on the Internet about a local woman without her knowledge.
Cpl. Nick Massaro stepped down rather than face disciplinary action for using a department computer to post the ad on Craigslist -- including the woman's name, picture and phone number, but without her knowledge or consent.
The woman is not being identified because of the nature of the case.
"He's been with us a long time and he's done a good job, but he failed with his mistake," said Chief Arthur Jones.
In 2007, Massaro, now 25, was named Bunnell Police Department's officer of the year. His four-year record with the department shows a string of commendations as well as disciplinary actions for neglect of duty and court absences.
Three complaints filed were found either unsupported or withdrawn, records show. The State Attorney's Office concluded this latest activity wasn't criminal, Jones said.
"Our job is to serve and protect and in serving and protecting, we should put the people first, satisfy the people first," Jones added. "He didn't put this girl first."
A seven-week internal investigation was launched in December into Massaro's alleged misconduct after Bunnell police received a complaint, Jones said.
The woman -- a friend of Massaro's wife -- told investigators that she began receiving text messages and phone calls Nov. 30 from several unknown men about an ad she never posted in the casual encounters section of the online classifieds Web site, according to the report from Bunnell police.
After flagging the ad for removal, Craigslist informed the woman that it had been placed from an Internet Protocol address belonging to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office using an e-mail confirmed by Massaro's wife as his own.
The woman said Massaro might not have approved of her friendship with his wife.
Massaro initially denied the claim but later confessed that he and another couple posted the ad as a joke and "not malicious in nature," the report states. He resigned Tuesday.
"This was a very scary experience for me and I was seriously afraid for my well-being," the woman wrote in an e-mail to Jones. "This was not a funny prank, but a very dangerous situation for me."
The woman told Sheriff's Office investigators that she had to change her e-mail address, phone number and social network information and was afraid for her safety in public.
The investigation also found that Massaro used the state driver and vehicle database to run searches for personal use and that he used department resources to view personal e-mail and pornography.
Massaro contended that the pornographic Web sites were from spam e-mails received while checking personal e-mail on his department-issued computer.
"He said himself that he made a mistake, but that he will learn from his mistake and move forward," Jones said.
Investigators recommended Massaro's termination for moral failure and department violations, but Massaro resigned after admitting misconduct and apologizing for its effect on his family and the department.
"We're not going to compromise the professional standards and bar that we set for our officers," said City Manager Armando Martinez. "Conduct of this sort will be dealt with swiftly, fairly and severely."
Cpl. Nick Massaro stepped down rather than face disciplinary action for using a department computer to post the ad on Craigslist -- including the woman's name, picture and phone number, but without her knowledge or consent.
The woman is not being identified because of the nature of the case.
"He's been with us a long time and he's done a good job, but he failed with his mistake," said Chief Arthur Jones.
In 2007, Massaro, now 25, was named Bunnell Police Department's officer of the year. His four-year record with the department shows a string of commendations as well as disciplinary actions for neglect of duty and court absences.
Three complaints filed were found either unsupported or withdrawn, records show. The State Attorney's Office concluded this latest activity wasn't criminal, Jones said.
"Our job is to serve and protect and in serving and protecting, we should put the people first, satisfy the people first," Jones added. "He didn't put this girl first."
A seven-week internal investigation was launched in December into Massaro's alleged misconduct after Bunnell police received a complaint, Jones said.
The woman -- a friend of Massaro's wife -- told investigators that she began receiving text messages and phone calls Nov. 30 from several unknown men about an ad she never posted in the casual encounters section of the online classifieds Web site, according to the report from Bunnell police.
After flagging the ad for removal, Craigslist informed the woman that it had been placed from an Internet Protocol address belonging to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office using an e-mail confirmed by Massaro's wife as his own.
The woman said Massaro might not have approved of her friendship with his wife.
Massaro initially denied the claim but later confessed that he and another couple posted the ad as a joke and "not malicious in nature," the report states. He resigned Tuesday.
"This was a very scary experience for me and I was seriously afraid for my well-being," the woman wrote in an e-mail to Jones. "This was not a funny prank, but a very dangerous situation for me."
The woman told Sheriff's Office investigators that she had to change her e-mail address, phone number and social network information and was afraid for her safety in public.
The investigation also found that Massaro used the state driver and vehicle database to run searches for personal use and that he used department resources to view personal e-mail and pornography.
Massaro contended that the pornographic Web sites were from spam e-mails received while checking personal e-mail on his department-issued computer.
"He said himself that he made a mistake, but that he will learn from his mistake and move forward," Jones said.
Investigators recommended Massaro's termination for moral failure and department violations, but Massaro resigned after admitting misconduct and apologizing for its effect on his family and the department.
"We're not going to compromise the professional standards and bar that we set for our officers," said City Manager Armando Martinez. "Conduct of this sort will be dealt with swiftly, fairly and severely."
Officer Michael Taglienti Suspended for Sleeping on Duty
A Dallas Police officer received a 20-day suspension this week after internal investigators found he chose instead to continue eating rather than responding immediately to a police call and fell asleep while on duty.
Officer Michael Taglienti, who was hired in 2001, can appeal the suspension.
The incident where he did not respond immediately occurred in early June 2009.
The sleeping incident occurred late the following month. Officials said a citizen noticed he appeared to be asleep in his squad car. When a dispatcher tried to reach Taglienti, officers were dispatched to make sure he was ok.
In 2007, Taglienti received a 20-day suspension after investigators concluded that he filed a false report and made misleading statements while conducting police business.
Officer Michael Taglienti, who was hired in 2001, can appeal the suspension.
The incident where he did not respond immediately occurred in early June 2009.
The sleeping incident occurred late the following month. Officials said a citizen noticed he appeared to be asleep in his squad car. When a dispatcher tried to reach Taglienti, officers were dispatched to make sure he was ok.
In 2007, Taglienti received a 20-day suspension after investigators concluded that he filed a false report and made misleading statements while conducting police business.
Former Officer Sherrod Peace Charged with Distributing Cocaine
A former Durham police officer has been indicted on federal drug-related charges after an investigation by the Durham Police Department and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
Sherrod Peace, 35, was indicted Wednesday on charges of distributing fewer than 5grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine) and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He was not in custody Thursday.
Durham Police Chief Jose L. Lopez Sr. received a complaint in early October that Peace was involved in illegal activities, and started criminal and internal investigations, a news release says. The criminal investigation was conducted by Durham police investigators with assistance from the DEA Task Force.
Peace joined the Durham Police Department in 2003 and was assigned to the Uniform Patrol Bureau. He resigned Dec. 31, 2009.
Sherrod Peace, 35, was indicted Wednesday on charges of distributing fewer than 5grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine) and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He was not in custody Thursday.
Durham Police Chief Jose L. Lopez Sr. received a complaint in early October that Peace was involved in illegal activities, and started criminal and internal investigations, a news release says. The criminal investigation was conducted by Durham police investigators with assistance from the DEA Task Force.
Peace joined the Durham Police Department in 2003 and was assigned to the Uniform Patrol Bureau. He resigned Dec. 31, 2009.
Officer Joshua Gines Charged with Child Molestation
Bingen-White Salmon Police Department Officer Joshua Gines appeared in Skamania County Superior Court in Stevenson on Monday afternoon after being charged in a Skamania County case.
According to Chris Lanz, chief deputy prosecutor for Skamania County, the charges were alleged child molestation in the first degree and alleged incest in the second degree.
Gines, who lives in Carson, was detained on Friday following an investigation by the Skamania County Sheriff's Office.
Police Chief Bruce Brending said Officer Gines has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the case.
Gines has been employed with the Bingen-White Salmon Police Department since July 2006. He recently applied for a deputy's position with the Skamania County Sheriff's Office.
Brending issued a press release about the incident on Monday, which reads as follows: "On Friday, Jan. 22, the Skamania County Sheriff's Office notified me of an active criminal investigation involving Officer Joshua Gines. Due to this criminal investigation, Officer Gines has currently been placed on paid administrative leave ... He has worked for the Bingen-White Salmon Police Department since July 12, 2006. There is no history of problems with Officer Gines while working for the Police Department."
Gines was being held in the Skamania County Jail in Stevenson, with bail set at $50,000. Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 28.
Superior Court Judge E. Thompson Reynolds presided at Monday's court session.
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More Information & Photo
According to Chris Lanz, chief deputy prosecutor for Skamania County, the charges were alleged child molestation in the first degree and alleged incest in the second degree.
Gines, who lives in Carson, was detained on Friday following an investigation by the Skamania County Sheriff's Office.
Police Chief Bruce Brending said Officer Gines has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the case.
Gines has been employed with the Bingen-White Salmon Police Department since July 2006. He recently applied for a deputy's position with the Skamania County Sheriff's Office.
Brending issued a press release about the incident on Monday, which reads as follows: "On Friday, Jan. 22, the Skamania County Sheriff's Office notified me of an active criminal investigation involving Officer Joshua Gines. Due to this criminal investigation, Officer Gines has currently been placed on paid administrative leave ... He has worked for the Bingen-White Salmon Police Department since July 12, 2006. There is no history of problems with Officer Gines while working for the Police Department."
Gines was being held in the Skamania County Jail in Stevenson, with bail set at $50,000. Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 28.
Superior Court Judge E. Thompson Reynolds presided at Monday's court session.
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More Information & Photo
Staff Fears Sheriff Joe Arpaio
As conflicts between Maricopa County's Board of Supervisors and the sheriff and county attorney escalated in 2009, rank-and-file county employees were plunged into a yearlong emotional roller coaster.
This month's announcement of a federal grand jury entering the fray brought county workers some relief and hope for an end to the extraordinary tensions. The grand jury is looking into allegations of abuse of power by Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his chief deputy, David Hendershott, in their dealings with judges and county officials.
Now, as they wait to see what will happen, a cross-section of county employees spoke with The Arizona Republic, talking publicly for the first time about life inside the county offices during the political battles, lawsuits and arrests going on above them at the highest levels of county government. Most have little connection to the conflicts. Still, their runaway fears were such that they worried that Arpaio's deputies would come after them as well.
Fears first spiked in December 2008, when county administrators spent $10,000 to sweep county offices for illegal wiretaps they worried had been installed by Arpaio. None was found. But rank-and-file workers still became terrified of possible surveillance, lawsuits or even arrest. Arpaio's frequent retort to critics that the innocent had nothing to worry about did not allay their concerns.
Unsure what or whom to believe, many county workers quit talking about sensitive matters on the telephone or in e-mails, even when using their personal home computers.
Conversation in hallways and elevators stopped.
Some feared they would be arrested while pulling into the same parking garage where deputies took Supervisor Don Stapley into custody.
Others worried that even minor infractions - a chipped windshield, having a beer before driving home after work - would be an excuse for deputies to pull them over or arrest them.
One Superior Court judge moved meetings with her staff and other judges to the chamber restroom, believing it would be a less likely spot for a listening device.
Working for a county often at war with itself put employees on edge and stressed relationships with co-workers and spouses.
Anxiety at work
Worries took hold at work immediately after the wiretap sweeps and grew through 2009 with each exchange among the sheriff, board and county attorney.
As a compensation supervisor, Darrien Ellison spends a lot of time researching money requests from the Sheriff's Office.
In the course of his normal work over the past year, he denied two pay-raise requests for a high-ranking Sheriff's Office employee. Later, the thought crossed his mind several times that authorities might come after him. When he had to call sheriff's staff, he assumed he was being recorded. "Who knows what they would use from a conversation on one of their employees against me," he said.
Dexter Thomas is a senior management and budget analyst who works with the judicial branch's budgets.
He loved his job, but then, the easygoing atmosphere at work changed. After wiretap sweeps around him on the 10th floor, Thomas wondered who might be spying on him.
He instructed his wife and daughter to never call him on his work phone. He stopped using e-mail for personal matters. When colleagues copied him on chain e-mails, he asked to be removed from the distribution list in case authorities were reading his e-mails.
"You never know who's watching," Thomas said. "You look over your shoulder before you push the button to the 10th floor. And I don't talk to anyone anymore."
Supervisor Max Wilson was once an Arpaio supporter, even volunteering for years as a member of Arpaio's volunteer-posse program.
But as the infighting intensified, so did Wilson's stress levels. He braced for his own arrest. His wife, like many county worker spouses, tensed up whenever sheriff's cars cruised through the neighborhood.
In March 2009, Arpaio warned in a speech that Wilson "better be careful on cutting my budget." Wilson took that as a threat and pulled in his chief of staff to talk about whether he should resign.
Wilson stopped volunteering with the posse. Later, his son-in-law also turned in his posse-member badge.
Fears at home
Fear followed employees home. Many talked with their wives, husbands and children to warn them deputies might show up or follow them around town.
Marla Schofield is a compensation analyst who studies salary data and personnel information. At first, she doubted sheriff's deputies would ever have a reason to contact her.
Then, the battles heated up over the county's decision to build a new court complex.
Deputies showed up at her home twice one summer weekend to ask questions. She didn't answer the door. A deputy left his business card on her car windshield, just below a crack in the glass.
Later, she went out for groceries and gas. She scanned the road and parking lots for sheriff's deputies. She worried the card was strategically placed to send her a message about the cracked windshield, "a tactic to pull me over."
She quickly had the crack repaired.
Compensation supervisor Darrien Ellison and his family were away visiting in-laws last summer on the day deputies came to his house to question him.
When he didn't come to the door, deputies talked to his neighbor. They asked about Ellison and his job at the county. Later, Ellison felt like some kind of suspicion had been cast on his family.
"Your neighbors obviously probably think something has been done wrong," he said, asking how does anyone explain that it's "just politics."
Lee Ann Bohn is a deputy budget director. She led last year's budget negotiations with the Sheriff's Office. Later, while she was out of town with her two daughters, sheriff's deputies questioned employees from her department. Her personal cellphone voicemail filled up with messages from workers asking for help. One employee was so rattled she could barely speak.
From then on, Bohn was extra careful about driving under the speed limit. She also took good care of her swimming pool so it didn't turn green and provide anyone an excuse to enter her property.
Stress takes a toll
As the conflicts continued through 2009, the months of fear at work and home took its toll on county employees.
Scott Isham is chief of staff to Wilson. He tried not to let fear of arrest take hold of his family or staff. But, as time went on, he also tried to be realistic.
Isham called a criminal defense attorney for advice. He asked how much it would cost to get him out of jail. He put the attorney's phone numbers in his cellphone and business cards in his car. Regular after-work beers with his buddies ended. Isham told his wife to be careful. No U-turns. Never leave the kids in the car when returning videos. Who knows what they might call child endangerment?
Kenny Harris oversees construction of the county's court tower. It's the most expensive project in county history, a major point of contention between the warring factions of the county and the target of one of Arpaio's investigations.
In December, Harris got a panicked call from his 70-year-old mother-in-law. Deputies had been at the door of their home. His two young daughters asked if he was in trouble.
As a budget supervisor, Ryan Wimmer works on financial matters
involving the sheriff and county attorney.
Wimmer felt like a likely target. Early on, he didn't expect to be arrested or subpoenaed. But, after Stapley's arrest, Wimmer had more restless nights. Then, deputies came to his apartment with questions about the court-tower project.
Wimmer lay awake after that wondering: How would he find an attorney? How would he pay for an attorney?
Sometimes, Wimmer worked at home. He wondered if they could seize his home computer.
Wimmer stopped expressing any personal opinions about county officials and operations. He struggled to explain to his girlfriend and family what was happening at work.
"Everything I do," he said, "I just assume it will be used against me."
This month's announcement of a federal grand jury entering the fray brought county workers some relief and hope for an end to the extraordinary tensions. The grand jury is looking into allegations of abuse of power by Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his chief deputy, David Hendershott, in their dealings with judges and county officials.
Now, as they wait to see what will happen, a cross-section of county employees spoke with The Arizona Republic, talking publicly for the first time about life inside the county offices during the political battles, lawsuits and arrests going on above them at the highest levels of county government. Most have little connection to the conflicts. Still, their runaway fears were such that they worried that Arpaio's deputies would come after them as well.
Fears first spiked in December 2008, when county administrators spent $10,000 to sweep county offices for illegal wiretaps they worried had been installed by Arpaio. None was found. But rank-and-file workers still became terrified of possible surveillance, lawsuits or even arrest. Arpaio's frequent retort to critics that the innocent had nothing to worry about did not allay their concerns.
Unsure what or whom to believe, many county workers quit talking about sensitive matters on the telephone or in e-mails, even when using their personal home computers.
Conversation in hallways and elevators stopped.
Some feared they would be arrested while pulling into the same parking garage where deputies took Supervisor Don Stapley into custody.
Others worried that even minor infractions - a chipped windshield, having a beer before driving home after work - would be an excuse for deputies to pull them over or arrest them.
One Superior Court judge moved meetings with her staff and other judges to the chamber restroom, believing it would be a less likely spot for a listening device.
Working for a county often at war with itself put employees on edge and stressed relationships with co-workers and spouses.
Anxiety at work
Worries took hold at work immediately after the wiretap sweeps and grew through 2009 with each exchange among the sheriff, board and county attorney.
As a compensation supervisor, Darrien Ellison spends a lot of time researching money requests from the Sheriff's Office.
In the course of his normal work over the past year, he denied two pay-raise requests for a high-ranking Sheriff's Office employee. Later, the thought crossed his mind several times that authorities might come after him. When he had to call sheriff's staff, he assumed he was being recorded. "Who knows what they would use from a conversation on one of their employees against me," he said.
Dexter Thomas is a senior management and budget analyst who works with the judicial branch's budgets.
He loved his job, but then, the easygoing atmosphere at work changed. After wiretap sweeps around him on the 10th floor, Thomas wondered who might be spying on him.
He instructed his wife and daughter to never call him on his work phone. He stopped using e-mail for personal matters. When colleagues copied him on chain e-mails, he asked to be removed from the distribution list in case authorities were reading his e-mails.
"You never know who's watching," Thomas said. "You look over your shoulder before you push the button to the 10th floor. And I don't talk to anyone anymore."
Supervisor Max Wilson was once an Arpaio supporter, even volunteering for years as a member of Arpaio's volunteer-posse program.
But as the infighting intensified, so did Wilson's stress levels. He braced for his own arrest. His wife, like many county worker spouses, tensed up whenever sheriff's cars cruised through the neighborhood.
In March 2009, Arpaio warned in a speech that Wilson "better be careful on cutting my budget." Wilson took that as a threat and pulled in his chief of staff to talk about whether he should resign.
Wilson stopped volunteering with the posse. Later, his son-in-law also turned in his posse-member badge.
Fears at home
Fear followed employees home. Many talked with their wives, husbands and children to warn them deputies might show up or follow them around town.
Marla Schofield is a compensation analyst who studies salary data and personnel information. At first, she doubted sheriff's deputies would ever have a reason to contact her.
Then, the battles heated up over the county's decision to build a new court complex.
Deputies showed up at her home twice one summer weekend to ask questions. She didn't answer the door. A deputy left his business card on her car windshield, just below a crack in the glass.
Later, she went out for groceries and gas. She scanned the road and parking lots for sheriff's deputies. She worried the card was strategically placed to send her a message about the cracked windshield, "a tactic to pull me over."
She quickly had the crack repaired.
Compensation supervisor Darrien Ellison and his family were away visiting in-laws last summer on the day deputies came to his house to question him.
When he didn't come to the door, deputies talked to his neighbor. They asked about Ellison and his job at the county. Later, Ellison felt like some kind of suspicion had been cast on his family.
"Your neighbors obviously probably think something has been done wrong," he said, asking how does anyone explain that it's "just politics."
Lee Ann Bohn is a deputy budget director. She led last year's budget negotiations with the Sheriff's Office. Later, while she was out of town with her two daughters, sheriff's deputies questioned employees from her department. Her personal cellphone voicemail filled up with messages from workers asking for help. One employee was so rattled she could barely speak.
From then on, Bohn was extra careful about driving under the speed limit. She also took good care of her swimming pool so it didn't turn green and provide anyone an excuse to enter her property.
Stress takes a toll
As the conflicts continued through 2009, the months of fear at work and home took its toll on county employees.
Scott Isham is chief of staff to Wilson. He tried not to let fear of arrest take hold of his family or staff. But, as time went on, he also tried to be realistic.
Isham called a criminal defense attorney for advice. He asked how much it would cost to get him out of jail. He put the attorney's phone numbers in his cellphone and business cards in his car. Regular after-work beers with his buddies ended. Isham told his wife to be careful. No U-turns. Never leave the kids in the car when returning videos. Who knows what they might call child endangerment?
Kenny Harris oversees construction of the county's court tower. It's the most expensive project in county history, a major point of contention between the warring factions of the county and the target of one of Arpaio's investigations.
In December, Harris got a panicked call from his 70-year-old mother-in-law. Deputies had been at the door of their home. His two young daughters asked if he was in trouble.
As a budget supervisor, Ryan Wimmer works on financial matters
involving the sheriff and county attorney.
Wimmer felt like a likely target. Early on, he didn't expect to be arrested or subpoenaed. But, after Stapley's arrest, Wimmer had more restless nights. Then, deputies came to his apartment with questions about the court-tower project.
Wimmer lay awake after that wondering: How would he find an attorney? How would he pay for an attorney?
Sometimes, Wimmer worked at home. He wondered if they could seize his home computer.
Wimmer stopped expressing any personal opinions about county officials and operations. He struggled to explain to his girlfriend and family what was happening at work.
"Everything I do," he said, "I just assume it will be used against me."
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