Post by hope on Nov 1, 2006 11:02:52 GMT -5
Wednesday, 11/01/06
In Tennessee, here is how the Metro Police Department of Davidson County handle their police officers who admit to perjury in a trial in a sworn affidavit to the court after his testmony caused a mistrial to be declared Oct. 4, 2006. Amazing. He wasn't fired. The Davidson County DA's office doesn't appear inclined to seek an indictment either, despite that he commited that perjury in Tennessee is a felony.
"Testimony leads to demotion"
A veteran Metro police detective will be transferred to a patrol assignment Wednesday after admitting he gave inaccurate testimony during a murder trial last month, leading to a mistrial, Metro police spokesman Don Aaron said.
Detective Roy Dunaway will return to the rank of patrol officer because of credibility issues raised when he testified that murder defendant Hope Mercer initially said "I shot him" when she was questioned about the death of her husband, lawyer Joseph Mercer, Aaron said.
In fact, the woman had maintained that the gun had gone off accidentally in a struggle, and there was no mention in Dunaway's reports that Mercer had admitted to the shooting. Defense attorney Hal Hardin immediately requested and was granted a mistrial.
In an affidavit filed after the trial, Dunaway stated that he was unsure why he made the untrue statements and alluded to working late the night before and taking cold medication.
In Tennessee, here is how the Metro Police Department of Davidson County handle their police officers who admit to perjury in a trial in a sworn affidavit to the court after his testmony caused a mistrial to be declared Oct. 4, 2006. Amazing. He wasn't fired. The Davidson County DA's office doesn't appear inclined to seek an indictment either, despite that he commited that perjury in Tennessee is a felony.
"Testimony leads to demotion"
A veteran Metro police detective will be transferred to a patrol assignment Wednesday after admitting he gave inaccurate testimony during a murder trial last month, leading to a mistrial, Metro police spokesman Don Aaron said.
Detective Roy Dunaway will return to the rank of patrol officer because of credibility issues raised when he testified that murder defendant Hope Mercer initially said "I shot him" when she was questioned about the death of her husband, lawyer Joseph Mercer, Aaron said.
In fact, the woman had maintained that the gun had gone off accidentally in a struggle, and there was no mention in Dunaway's reports that Mercer had admitted to the shooting. Defense attorney Hal Hardin immediately requested and was granted a mistrial.
In an affidavit filed after the trial, Dunaway stated that he was unsure why he made the untrue statements and alluded to working late the night before and taking cold medication.