The Joplin Globe
Tuesday October 22, 1996
Sheriff’s trial begins
By Gary Garton
Globe Baxter Springs Bureau
TULSA, Okla. – A federal jury heard two conspiracy theories Monday on the opening day of Ottawa County Sheriff Ed Walker’s trial on illegal gambling and racketeering charges.
U.S. Attorney Steve Lewis described a conspiracy in which Walker allegedly extorted payoffs totaling about $20,000 from gambling machine vendors and bar owners to let machines operate in his county.
But Walker’s attorney, Gary L Richardson, turned the picture around during his remarks.
Richardson said Walker was the “only sheriff in 20 years who tried to stop the illegal gambling.”
‘Because of his actions against corruption in Ottawa County, he was framed by the vendors, who told one story to the government investigators first,” he said. “Then changed their stories to get leniency and help the government get the sheriff.”
Walker was indicted by a federal grand jury on five counts of extortion, four counts of conspiracy to aid and abet illegal gambling and three counts of obstruction of justice.
His twice-delayed trial began with the selection of eight men and four women on the jury. A man and woman are alternates.
The only local connection that led to a juror’s dismissal was that of Jerry VonMoss, pastor of Southeast Baptist Church at Commerce.
When asked by U.S. District Judge H. Dale Cook if he could be an impartial juror VonMoss admitted, “that would be a difficult question,” telling the judge that Walker and his wife are members of his congregation.
After opening statements, the prosecution had time to call only one witness, Ottawa County Clerk, Carol Randall, who testified to witnessing Walker’s signature on his oath of office and county loyalty oath, when he took office on Jan. 4, 1993.
The office oath promises the official will not take any money, or other thing of value for the performance of non-performance of his duties.
Lewis said the alleged conspiracy began in April or May 1994 when he said Walker approached Don Hogan, operator of Hatties Bar at Commerce asking for money to allow…
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