Post by WaTcHeR on Jun 10, 2006 10:43:40 GMT -5
06.09.2006 - The former Bucks County police officer charged with telling a drug dealer that he was under investigation was found not guilty Friday after a five-day trial.
The jury of seven women and five men acquitted Jonathan Knight, 35, of the charges of hindering apprehension and obstruction of the administration of law.
Prosecutors alleged that in January 2005, Knight, a Chalfont police officer, warned a friend that he was the target of an undercover drug investigation. During the trial, Knight's attorney, Louis R. Busico of Newtown, conceded that Knight told the drug dealer that he was the target of a probe, but insisted his client was trying to get his friend to give up selling drugs.
''He maintained his innocence all along,'' Busico said shortly after the jury returned its verdict. ''The jury believed our story from day one. There was no intent to break the law.''
Knight, of Warminster Township, declined to comment after the verdict was returned. He was suspended from the Chalfont police shortly after his arrest. Busico said Knight has been working as a landscaper.
Police in Bensalem Township were investigating Whitney Watson, a Solebury Township man who worked at a Chalfont car wash. Police suspected Watson of selling marijuana.
Watson and Knight had become friends because Chalfont police used the car wash to buy gas and have the police cars cleaned.
According to trial testimony, in early 2005 Watson sold $1,300 worth of marijuana to an undercover police officer. Following the transaction, Watson testified, he was suspicious of his new customer and approached Knight to find out if the buyer was a police officer.
Deputy District Attorney Karen Diaz said Knight met twice with Watson. During the first conversation, Knight urged his friend to stop dealing drugs. In the second meeting, she said, Knight confirmed to Watson that he was a ''marked man.''
''He gave Whitney Watson information that he knew shouldn't have left the police department,'' she said. ''He went back to Whitney Watson and said he was in trouble. That confirmed the investigation.''
Diaz said Knight should have reported Watson's admission of guilt to detectives. She said police were hoping to build a case against Watson that could have led them to much bigger drug kingpins, but once Watson knew about the probe the investigation had to be shut down.
Watson was eventually charged with drug dealing. He pleaded guilty and was placed on probation.
Busico agreed that Knight's relationship with Watson ''was not intelligent and could be problematic.'' Still, he said, Knight had no intention to thwart a police investigation.
''His intent was not malicious,'' Busico said. ''You can't say that Jonathan Knight woke up in the morning, put on a police uniform and intended to break the law. He is not a criminal nor did he act criminally at any point in his career or in this case.''
Busico said Knight's employment status with Chalfont police is unclear and does not know whether he will be given an opportunity to rejoin the department. Chalfont Police Chief Frank Campbell was unavailable for comment.
The jury of seven women and five men acquitted Jonathan Knight, 35, of the charges of hindering apprehension and obstruction of the administration of law.
Prosecutors alleged that in January 2005, Knight, a Chalfont police officer, warned a friend that he was the target of an undercover drug investigation. During the trial, Knight's attorney, Louis R. Busico of Newtown, conceded that Knight told the drug dealer that he was the target of a probe, but insisted his client was trying to get his friend to give up selling drugs.
''He maintained his innocence all along,'' Busico said shortly after the jury returned its verdict. ''The jury believed our story from day one. There was no intent to break the law.''
Knight, of Warminster Township, declined to comment after the verdict was returned. He was suspended from the Chalfont police shortly after his arrest. Busico said Knight has been working as a landscaper.
Police in Bensalem Township were investigating Whitney Watson, a Solebury Township man who worked at a Chalfont car wash. Police suspected Watson of selling marijuana.
Watson and Knight had become friends because Chalfont police used the car wash to buy gas and have the police cars cleaned.
According to trial testimony, in early 2005 Watson sold $1,300 worth of marijuana to an undercover police officer. Following the transaction, Watson testified, he was suspicious of his new customer and approached Knight to find out if the buyer was a police officer.
Deputy District Attorney Karen Diaz said Knight met twice with Watson. During the first conversation, Knight urged his friend to stop dealing drugs. In the second meeting, she said, Knight confirmed to Watson that he was a ''marked man.''
''He gave Whitney Watson information that he knew shouldn't have left the police department,'' she said. ''He went back to Whitney Watson and said he was in trouble. That confirmed the investigation.''
Diaz said Knight should have reported Watson's admission of guilt to detectives. She said police were hoping to build a case against Watson that could have led them to much bigger drug kingpins, but once Watson knew about the probe the investigation had to be shut down.
Watson was eventually charged with drug dealing. He pleaded guilty and was placed on probation.
Busico agreed that Knight's relationship with Watson ''was not intelligent and could be problematic.'' Still, he said, Knight had no intention to thwart a police investigation.
''His intent was not malicious,'' Busico said. ''You can't say that Jonathan Knight woke up in the morning, put on a police uniform and intended to break the law. He is not a criminal nor did he act criminally at any point in his career or in this case.''
Busico said Knight's employment status with Chalfont police is unclear and does not know whether he will be given an opportunity to rejoin the department. Chalfont Police Chief Frank Campbell was unavailable for comment.