Published: October 13, 2006 01:43 pm         

Grady County Commissioners decide against ouster of sheriff

CHICKASHA — Grady County Sheriff Kieran McMullen won’t be removed from office by an ouster procedure.

The Grady County Commissioners considered the possibility of pursuing an ouster hearing against the sheriff in an executive session during Tuesday morning’s meeting. Upon returning from executive session, the commissioners announced that they would take no action against the sheriff.

A small group of people at the meeting to support Sheriff McMullen 1applauded when Lennier made the announcement.

“If I thought for one moment, that justice would not be served by the Board of County Commissioners not taking action, I would proceed with the oust(sic) procedure,” District Two County Commissioner Mike Lennier said in a written statement. “But I feel that the process is well under way, and the ousting procedure would not benefit Grady County.”

Lennier pointed out that, if the commissioners had begun ouster proceedings, a hearing would have been set for October 23 in Grady County District Court.

Sheriff McMullen and three other defendants al-ready face criminal proceeding which were placed on the docket for that same day when they were indicted on three felony charges and two misdemeanors.

The charges stem from alleged illegal gambling at the Chickasha Elks Lodge and the efforts of some law enforcement officers to conceal the actions.

“If no trial was on the horizon,” Lennier said. “After viewing some of the evidence presented to the grand jury that resulted in the indictments, I would be obligated by my position to insist on an investigation.”

District Three Commissioner Jack Porter, who never viewed any of the evidence against the sheriff, said he felt ouster hearings would be redundant.

“The county commissioners can’t oust other officers,” Porter said. “We can only petition the court to do it. I see nothing gained by ouster proceedings.”

District One Commissioner Roy Testerman agreed.

“I agree with Jack,” Testerman said. “I can’t see it expediting the process.”

Sheriff McMullen, his wife Helen - a Chickasha Police Sergeant, Deputy Robert Cacy, and recently retired Chickasha Police Lieutenant Jerry Tyler all face charges of being 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 believe all of the accused deserve their day in court and they’re already going to get that,” Lennier said.