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GUILTY After 2 years, McMullen, others plea to crimes
After two years, the illegal gambling scandal at the Chickasha Elks Lodge involving numerous law enforcement officers, including Grady County Sheriff Kieran McMullen, has come to an end.
McMullen, his wife Helen McMullen, former deputy Delmer Barthelme and former deputy Robert Cacy admitted guilt on Friday to the misdemeanor charge of willful neglect of duty.
According to a press release from Grady County District Attorney Bret Burns, “each defendant admitted they had failed in their duty as police officers by allowing illegal gambling to occur in their presence and with their knowledge at the Chickasha Elk’s Lodge.”
“With this negative footnote in history behind us, it is time for Grady County to move in a positive direction. I look forward to a new era for our sheriff’s office where we can once again have confidence and pride in our sheriff’s department,” said Burns.
Each of the defendants received a deferred six-month sentence, and was ordered to pay a $200 fine and court costs.
McMullen resigned as Grady County Sheriff at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2., Cacy resigned this week and Barthelme resigned two weeks ago.
According to Burns, the “guilty pleas, probation and resignations represent an end to the corruption that existed at the Grady County Sheriff’s Office.”
While the guilty pleas prevent any of the defendants from serving as police officers in the future, they may re-apply for C.L.E.E.T. certification after five years.
McMullen and the others said had little to says as they left the courtroom.
“On the advice of our attorneys, we’re not saying anything,” said McMullen.
After the pleas were made, Judge Lori Walkley told the defendants, “I’m glad you’ve taken responsibility for your actions.”
Burns said he was pleased to end the corruption at the sheriff’s office at a press conference following the plea hearing.
“This was the same deal we offered two years ago before it went to the grand jury,” said Burns. “It is an ugly process for the citizens of Grady County and I’m glad this phase is over.”
When asked why the sheriff has previously refused to step down, Burns answered “mostly, arrogance.”
“It has been strung out because the judges have allowed it, and I think it’s unfortunate,” said Burns. “But nobody’s above the law. The law applies to all of us equally; one group is no better than anybody else.”
Burns added that some of the attorneys were concerned that their clients may have been paid too much in comp time, but comp time was not a part of the plea agreement.
“If they were overpaid because of an administrative error, they will be allowed to repay; I don’t anticipate any more charges,” said Burns.
A special audit will begin next week to examine comp time payments made to sheriff’s deputies.
When asked about money and gambling machines confiscated from the Elks Lodge on the night of the ABLE raid, Burns said he had offered to return the $3,000 to the Elks on the condition that they donate the money to charity.
However, the Elks refused the offer and want both the money and the machines to be returned. Burns said the machines will be destroyed.
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Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
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Transformations
