DA asks commissioners to oust Sheriff

Kent Bush
The Tuttle Times

CHICKASHA October 06, 2006 02:23 pm

— District Attorney Bret Burns met with the Grady County Commissioners Monday morning to ask them to consider removing Sheriff Kieran McMullen from office.
According to state law, (22 O.S. 1194), county commissioners may bring action against another county officer which could result in his ouster from office.
The commissioners had little to say about Burns’ request. District No. 2 Commissioner Mike Lennier asked Burns to provide him a copy of the state statute that would allow the commissioners to take such an action.
Roy Testerman said he hadn’t formed an opinion in the case yet.
“This is just one of those things that I am betwixt and between,” Testerman said. “ I have heard from several people that there is nothing going on out there (the Chickasha Elks Lodge) and you say there is. I have nothing concrete to stand on.”
Burns invited all of the commissioners to come to his office and inspect the evidence at their convenience. He was scheduled to address the matter with the commissioners in executive session before the case went to the grand jury. Burns’ court schedule and other conflicts kept that meeting from taking place.
Since then, Sheriff McMullen and three others have been indicted by the state’s Multi-County Grand Jury.
District No. 3 County Commissioner Jack Porter has also publicly stated on a couple of occasions that he did not think the sheriff should resign and that he should have his day in court to defend himself against the charges of; an officer engaging in illegal gambling, conducting illegal gambling, conspiracy to commit crimes and bad acts, permitting gambling on premises, and willful neglect of duties.
“I think it is irresponsible, Jack, for you to say that you don’t think the sheriff should resign,” Burns said. “I think this creates serious credibility problems for the county.”
Porter did not respond.
Burns went on to point out the difficulty he would face prosecuting a crime which was investigated by an officer who was charged with a crime.
“This is a defense attorney’s dream,” Burns said. “The honorable thing for the sheriff to do would have been to step down. He isn’t going to do that so it is time for this board to do what you need to.”

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