Post by WaTcHeR on Apr 12, 2006 9:12:26 GMT -5
04/12/2006 - ORANGEBURG, S.C. - A grand jury has refused to indict a former Bowman police officer charged with kidnapping and committing a lewd act on a minor.
The Orangeburg County grand jury met earlier this month, finding there wasn't enough evidence to hold Harry Lee Tucker over to trial.
"We are elated that he is no longer charged," said Tucker's lawyer I.S. Leevy Johnson. "We felt all along that the allegations were frivolous and our investigations verified that they were groundless."
While the grand jury's decision halted things for now, prosecutor Brian Jeffries said he is not dismissing the case. "If we get new evidence, we can send it back to the grand jury," he said.
Tucker was charged with taking a 14-year-old girl to the Bowman Police Department, holding her there against her will and touching her inappropriately, according to arrest warrants.
Tucker said he was glad the grand jury didn't indict him. But he said the case has taken a toll on him and his family.
"Emotionally and physically it tore me up," Tucker said. "I had trouble sleeping. I had trouble finding a job. I didn't know when I'd have to go to court. I had to file bankruptcy. My personal strength was my family."
While the incident didn't change him fundamentally, Tucker said there are things he will do differently.
"From now on, I won't be too freehanded trying to help someone," he said. "I'll be very cautious the next time around."
The Orangeburg County grand jury met earlier this month, finding there wasn't enough evidence to hold Harry Lee Tucker over to trial.
"We are elated that he is no longer charged," said Tucker's lawyer I.S. Leevy Johnson. "We felt all along that the allegations were frivolous and our investigations verified that they were groundless."
While the grand jury's decision halted things for now, prosecutor Brian Jeffries said he is not dismissing the case. "If we get new evidence, we can send it back to the grand jury," he said.
Tucker was charged with taking a 14-year-old girl to the Bowman Police Department, holding her there against her will and touching her inappropriately, according to arrest warrants.
Tucker said he was glad the grand jury didn't indict him. But he said the case has taken a toll on him and his family.
"Emotionally and physically it tore me up," Tucker said. "I had trouble sleeping. I had trouble finding a job. I didn't know when I'd have to go to court. I had to file bankruptcy. My personal strength was my family."
While the incident didn't change him fundamentally, Tucker said there are things he will do differently.
"From now on, I won't be too freehanded trying to help someone," he said. "I'll be very cautious the next time around."