Miami News-Record
Tuesday, November 19, 1996
Opinion Section
Letters to the Editor
Government should accept jury’s decision on Walker
Dear Editor:
We believe the government should concede regarding the unfounded allegations against Sheriff James “Ed” Walker. This injustice brought about through accusations and innuendos by self-admitted cohorts in crime, and furthered by what we believe to be politically motivated sources, has already cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. If a jury of 12 unbiased citizens could not find enough evidence or cause to convict Walker of “even one” of these 12 charges, how would the government ever come to the conclusion that another jury would find otherwise? Walker has been an honest and hardworking law enforcement officer for 24 years.
He was elected by the people of Ottawa County to protect and serve them, irregardless of whose toes he might step on in the process. Numbers don’t lie-Walker had an excellent crime clearance rate while in office. We submit that the fire fueling this call for the retrial of Walker is the result of the government’s perceived need to save face after spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to try Walker with nothing more than the aforementioned allegations and innuendoes. Citizens of Ottawa County, let’s put a stop to this farce!
Ed Walker is an honest and decent human being who in our opinion, is being persecuted by people with their own hidden agenda. As most of us are aware, Walker would like to present evidence to a multi-county grand jury regarding the murders of Guy Krisher and Raymond Frazier before his term expires.
Is it just us or wouldn’t you, my fellow citizens of Ottawa County, agree that justice and the interest of all law-abiding citizens would best be served if Walker were allowed to return to his position and pursue the people involved in these unsolved crimes? Ladies and gentlemen, the families of these victims are counting on us to do what is right and just in this decision. Let’s not let them down! It’s not too late. Write Judge Dale Cook, prosecutor Steve Lewis and your local newspaper and let them know that these unfounded accusations against Walker do not hold water as witnessed by the results of the federal jury’s decision.
Our county, in our opinion, would better be served if the federal government would accept the jury’s decision with “dignity and grace” and perhaps join Walker in attempting to solve some of these murders and other serious crimes that were being investigated at the time of Walker’s indictment. As the Rev. James Brockman stated in his previous Sound-off opinion. “Stop railroading Sheriff Walker and let him do the job that the people of Ottawa County elected him to do! We’d like to offer a special thank you to Brockman for standing up for what he believes in.
Sincerely,
Citizens in support of Sheriff Walker
Rick Estep
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