Miami News- Record
Sunday, November 10, 1996
Prosecutors vow to pursue Walker retrial
By Ron Holmes
Miami News-Record
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has confirmed that they will seek another trial against Ottawa county Sheriff James “Ed” Walker on the remaining counts of his original indictment.
On Wednesday a Tulsa jury acquitted Walker on eight of the 12 charges of extortion, obstruction of justice and illegal gambling which were filed against him by a federal grand jury last spring. Last week’s jury was deadlocked on the remaining four counts and was excused by Federal Judge H. Dale Cook.
Immediately following the trial, U.S. Attorney Steve Lewis would not comment on whether he would continue the case against Walker, but Friday, Randy Edgmon, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, said that federal prosecutors will definitely pursue the charges. Edgmon could not comment on whether it will be necessary that the charges be refiled or simply if a new trial date must be set.
But Walker said Saturday that it is his understanding that there are no charges against him now. “The probation officer said the charges would have to be refiled,” he said. Walker also said that his attorneys, Gary Richardson and son, Chad, are scheduled to meet with Lewis on Monday to discuss the matter.
In the two and a half week trial, Lewis called Ottawa County bar owners and video gambling machine vendors who testified that they paid Walker 10 percent of the proceeds from illegal gambling. He also unveiled telephone records documenting telephone contact between Walker and the vendors. But Gary Richardson poked holes in the feds’ case, pointing out that most of those testifying were doing so as part of a plea agreement and were untrustworthy. He also maintained that Walker may have been framed, and questioned federal investigation tactics.
Following the trial, Walker said that he expected to meet with county commissioners next week to discuss his return to work. “The agreement was the day the charges were resolved, I would return to work,” he said.
But Ottawa County District Attorney Ben Loring has his doubts.
“Basically, it’s up to the county commissioners as to what happens at this point,” he said Friday.
“The situation legally is exactly the same as it was originally, except that there are fewer charges now.”
Walker did say that his attorneys had advised him to wait until after Monday’s meeting between his attorneys and federal prosecutors. “If my attorneys tell me to go back to work Tuesday or Wednesday, then that’s what I will do,” he said.
Walker said he has some unfinished business as sheriff.
“I’d like to see the (Guy) Krisher and (Raymond) Frazier murder cases turned over to the multi-county grand jury,” he said. “I feel sorry for the families.”
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