Post by WaTcHeR on Jun 2, 2006 13:43:19 GMT -5
06.02.2006 - A former Canton police officer has pleaded no contest to extortion for his role in a scheme to erase a felony auto-theft charge against a Canton man in exchange for $6,000.
Warren County Judge Frank G. Vollor took the plea from Willie Harper on Tuesday and ordered a pre-sentencing report, Harper's attorney, Bernard C. Jones Jr. of Jackson, said Thursday.
Both Madison County Circuit Judges Samac Richardson and William E. Chapman III recused themselves from this case, said Circuit Clerk Lee Westbrook.
Jones had no further comment. His client remains free on bond until sentencing.
Harper, 47, was one of four officers accused in June 2003 of offering to erase felony car-theft charges against Canton barber Leonard "Big Lenny" Hampton for $6,000.
Other former police officers charged were Capt. Nate Walker, 47; Lt. Johnny Burse, 47; and officer Terry Walker, 42, Nathaniel Walker's cousin.
Nathaniel Walker was tried and convicted in July 2004 for his part in the scheme.
Holmes County Circuit Judge Jannie Lewis sentenced Walker to five years in prison and ordered him to pay fines totaling $3,000.
The case is being handled by the state attorney general's office.
To plead no contest means the defendant neither admits guilt nor disputes the charge. Even so, the courts treat it as a guilty plea.
Warren County Judge Frank G. Vollor took the plea from Willie Harper on Tuesday and ordered a pre-sentencing report, Harper's attorney, Bernard C. Jones Jr. of Jackson, said Thursday.
Both Madison County Circuit Judges Samac Richardson and William E. Chapman III recused themselves from this case, said Circuit Clerk Lee Westbrook.
Jones had no further comment. His client remains free on bond until sentencing.
Harper, 47, was one of four officers accused in June 2003 of offering to erase felony car-theft charges against Canton barber Leonard "Big Lenny" Hampton for $6,000.
Other former police officers charged were Capt. Nate Walker, 47; Lt. Johnny Burse, 47; and officer Terry Walker, 42, Nathaniel Walker's cousin.
Nathaniel Walker was tried and convicted in July 2004 for his part in the scheme.
Holmes County Circuit Judge Jannie Lewis sentenced Walker to five years in prison and ordered him to pay fines totaling $3,000.
The case is being handled by the state attorney general's office.
To plead no contest means the defendant neither admits guilt nor disputes the charge. Even so, the courts treat it as a guilty plea.