Post by WaTcHeR on Jan 13, 2006 17:00:56 GMT -5
01/13/2006 - CANTON - A Stark County judge on Thursday dismissed a criminal charge against a city police officer accused of using a police computer system to try to arrange a date.
Prosecutors failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer Steven Fowler violated the law, Common Pleas Judge Lee Sinclair concluded.
``It worked out the way it should have,'' defense attorney Charlene Selinsky Hardy said. ``I never thought they could prove this case.''
Fowler, 37, who declined to comment afterward, exchanged a high-five with Canton Police Patrolmen's Association President John Miller outside the courtroom.
He was accused of using the Ohio Law Enforcement Automated Data System in January 2004 to trace the license plate number of a legal secretary to track her down in an unsuccessful attempt to get a date.
He was fired in May 2004, then rehired after an arbitrator ruled the punishment was too severe. He was later placed on paid suspension.
Miller said Fowler should be able to return to work immediately.
Prosecutors failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer Steven Fowler violated the law, Common Pleas Judge Lee Sinclair concluded.
``It worked out the way it should have,'' defense attorney Charlene Selinsky Hardy said. ``I never thought they could prove this case.''
Fowler, 37, who declined to comment afterward, exchanged a high-five with Canton Police Patrolmen's Association President John Miller outside the courtroom.
He was accused of using the Ohio Law Enforcement Automated Data System in January 2004 to trace the license plate number of a legal secretary to track her down in an unsuccessful attempt to get a date.
He was fired in May 2004, then rehired after an arbitrator ruled the punishment was too severe. He was later placed on paid suspension.
Miller said Fowler should be able to return to work immediately.