I haven’t blogged on the Sherb Sentell arrest for the last couple of days because I was waiting to see what developed.
As most of you are aware, Sentell was arrested last Friday night at the Horseshoe Casino for Domestic Abuse Battery. All of the media outlets have now released the Casino videos that show what led to the arrest.
The arresting officer was my son, Bossier City Police Cpl. M. D Wells.
In his report, he noted that according to the transporting officers, one a reserve officer and one a regular officer, Sentell had “made numerous threats to sue them and adversely affect their employment with the police department by using his political influence if he were arrested.”
“They (officers) also indicated these threats had been made as they were transporting Mr. Sentell, and his statements had been recorded by Officer Vernon's in-car video system.”
Schuyler Marvin listened to the video and said that nothing that Sentell said rose to the level of intimidation. The definition, by law, of public intimidation is:
· Public intimidation is the use of violence, force, or threats upon any of the following persons, with the intent to influence his conduct in relation to his position, employment, or duty:
o Public officer or public employee.
The reserve officer was fired by BCPD, and the other officer is on paid administrative leave until the conclusion of the internal investigation.
According to the Minden Press-Herald, “Reportedly, these actions were taken Wednesday after the investigation determined that the two filed a false police report in which they indicated Sentell threatened their jobs with the department and tried to use his position to avoid arrest.”
According to the District Attorney, Sentell made no threat with the intent to influence the conduct of the officers.
Hopefully, the in-car video will be released sooner rather than later.
Also, according to the Press-Herald in referring to the charge of domestic abuse battery, “No slapping, hitting, punching or extreme violence is visible during the approximate 30-minute video. “
Okay. The law says:
A. Domestic abuse battery is the intentional use of force or violence committed by one household member upon the person of another household member.
You can judge that by all the videos that are available. What do you think? What would you think if it was your daughter or your sister?
On Wednesday morning, I had an email from Danny Lawler at The Inquisitor asking for my comments on information he had received from Sentell’s defense team.
1. That the officer (Wells) had a ‘bone to pick’ with Schuyler Marvin for dismissing an attempted homicide charge against a suspect who had committed battery on the the officer.
2. That the operator of My Bossier is the officer’s father.
3. That the father is a good friend of Judge Burchett.
I was happy to answer Danny’s questions, and I will answer them here.
Yes, I am responsible for My Bossier. That’s no secret.
I endorsed Judge Burchett in the last election, an election which was won by Mike Craig with the help of Schuyler Marvin. So far as being good friends, I know Judge Burchett but I don’t think of it in the ‘good friend’ category. I am proud, however, to call Judge Burchett a friend, and I have no regrets for supporting him last fall.
What in the world Judge Burchett has to do with this arrest, I have no idea.
One of the best friends I ever had in the world, from the time we crawled on the floor in church nursery together until we graduated from high school together, was Cecil Campbell. I still hold him in very high regard. Perhaps the defense team should consider whether or not that friendship affected the situation.
Now to the first question – does my son have a ‘bone to pick’ with the DA. My answer, and of course I can’t answer for him, is that I have never heard him say anything negative about the DA. Police officers realize that most cases end in plea arrangements out of necessity. We don’t have the court resources to try every case.
As to the incident they were referring to, I didn’t intend to blog on it and told Bossier ADA Lane Pittard that I would not. Since Sentell’s defense team brought it up, I suppose I need to do so.
In a nutshell, a man hit my son and another person with his vehicle. They were able to move out of the way and stop him. He was charged with 2 counts of aggravated battery (felony), 1 count of battery on a police officer (felony), 1 count of resisting arrest (misdemeanor) and with misdemeanor 1st DWI.
I was aware of it, and checked on it the day after his court appearance. The DA’s office had sent the misdemeanor DWI to court, accepted a $500 fine on the misdemeanor resisting charge, and nol-prossed the three felonies. I contacted Lane Pittard and asked him if it was customary to nol-pross felonies in favor of a misdemeanor charge, and he looked into it. He told me that the plea should not have gone through, and that the ADA responsible should not have done it. Lane even called in my son to explain what happened. I thanked him for his forthrightness.
Now, apparently, someone in the Bossier DA’s office passed it on to the Sentell lawyers in an effort to discredit me and to invent some ‘grudge’ that doesn’t exist. Lawyers, lawyers. They have more spin than a washing machine.
Can’t say that I’m surprised, by now everyone knows that all those guys are tighter than ticks.
Like Forrest Gump, that's all I have to say about that. For now.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Sentell. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Sentell. Sort by date Show all posts
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Court rules in Vernon case
Judge Parker Self this week upheld the Bossier City Fire & Police Civil Service Board’s ruling of February 16, 2010, regarding the firing of Bossier City Police Officer Philip Vernon.
Just in case anyone doesn’t know the details of the case, here are the basic facts as laid out in the Judge’s opinion.
• “Mr. Vernon had transported Assistant District Attorney Sherburne Sentell, who had been arrested on October 3, 2009 at the Horseshoe Casino on Domestic Battery charges. Mr. Vernon filed a supplemental report regarding the incident and an additional charge of Public Intimidation was filed against the arrestee. An internal affairs complaint was filed against Mr. Vernon based upon the conflict between the officers report and the video evidence as it relates to the transport of the arrestee in the police vehicle. The internal affairs complaint was sustained and Mr. Vernon was found to be in violation of the Department’s Code of Conduct regarding false statements and malicious prosecution. Thereafter, Mr. Vernon was terminated. Mr. Vernon appealed his termination to the Board. The Board issued a Written Finding of Fact and Decision by a four to one vote on February 16, 2010.”
• “The evidence and testimony presented to the Civil Service Board established that Philip Vernon filed a report that contained false information; however, the majority of the Board felt Mr. Vernon perceived the statements made by Mr. Sherburne Sentell as threats to his employment. The Board felt there was no malicious prosecution intended. By majority vote the board finds the Appointing Authority acted in good faith and just cause but the punishment too severe and modifies the action to a ninety day suspension without pay.”
Both the city and Vernon filed suit in District Court to overturn the ruling of the Civil Service Board, Vernon because his lawyer objected to the fact that the Board, in its original meeting, had included wording that the city did not act in good faith. This was later amended to state that the city did act in good faith. The court ruled that the written finding issued February 16th (which stated that the city acted in good faith)
• “is appropriate and is deemed to be the decision of the board from which these parties seek an appeal”.
The City of Bossier appealed saying that the Board only had the authority to either affirm the city’s decision or reinstate Vernon, that it did not have the authority to change the punishment.
Vernon’s lawyer had brought up the fact that the tapes of the Civil Service hearing were incomplete and of poor quality.
The court noted on this issue that
• “The statute reads that the Board shall not be required to have the testimony taken and transcribed, but either the employee or the appointing authority may, at their own expense, make the necessary arrangements therefore”.
Since neither the city nor Vernon’s lawyer had arranged for transcripts, then none were made. The ruling of the board stands on its own.
The court reviewed Vernon’s incident report and the tapes from the in-car video during transport. The Judge noted that Vernon’s report contained the following in chronological order:
Line 6: transported Sentell to the Bossier City Jail
Line 7: begins ‘while in route’
Line 20: he (Sentell) then advised me (Vernon) that he was going to see to it that officers were sued and that the officers were going to lose their jobs over this incident.
Line 23: Upon arrival at the Bossier City Jail
The Court concluded
• “While reading this narrative in context and applying a reasonable understanding to these words as would be expected by a reasonable person, the reader can draw the conclusion that the ‘intimidation’ the officers would lose their job was made during the transport to the jail while the arrestee was in the police vehicle”.
The court reviewed the tapes and agreed with internal affairs investigators that Sentell was agitated and intoxicated.
• “While the Court notes that during the video Mr. Sentell requested several persons of influence be contacted; threatened to sue; informed the officers of his job duties and utilized words that would make a Sunday School teacher blush, Mr. Sentell did not threaten the officers with the loss of their jobs during his transport to jail. This directly contradicts the supplemental report filed by Mr. Vernon.”
• “Of importance is the question that Mr. Vernon, during the internal affairs investigation, was asked in hindsight after listening to the tape do you still feel that Mr. Sentell was trying to threaten you with your job. Mr. Vernon’s answer was ‘hindsight, and looking at the tape, um I’d have to say no, sir’.”
Conclusion:
• “This Court, having reviewed the law and evidence does hereby affirm the findings of fact and decision by the Board issued on February 16, 2010. The appeals filed by the City of Bossier City and Philip Vernon are without merit and each appellant should bear the costs associated with its appeal.”
Philip Vernon is still an officer with BCPD, but the 90 day suspension for filing a false report stands.
Just in case anyone doesn’t know the details of the case, here are the basic facts as laid out in the Judge’s opinion.
• “Mr. Vernon had transported Assistant District Attorney Sherburne Sentell, who had been arrested on October 3, 2009 at the Horseshoe Casino on Domestic Battery charges. Mr. Vernon filed a supplemental report regarding the incident and an additional charge of Public Intimidation was filed against the arrestee. An internal affairs complaint was filed against Mr. Vernon based upon the conflict between the officers report and the video evidence as it relates to the transport of the arrestee in the police vehicle. The internal affairs complaint was sustained and Mr. Vernon was found to be in violation of the Department’s Code of Conduct regarding false statements and malicious prosecution. Thereafter, Mr. Vernon was terminated. Mr. Vernon appealed his termination to the Board. The Board issued a Written Finding of Fact and Decision by a four to one vote on February 16, 2010.”
• “The evidence and testimony presented to the Civil Service Board established that Philip Vernon filed a report that contained false information; however, the majority of the Board felt Mr. Vernon perceived the statements made by Mr. Sherburne Sentell as threats to his employment. The Board felt there was no malicious prosecution intended. By majority vote the board finds the Appointing Authority acted in good faith and just cause but the punishment too severe and modifies the action to a ninety day suspension without pay.”
Both the city and Vernon filed suit in District Court to overturn the ruling of the Civil Service Board, Vernon because his lawyer objected to the fact that the Board, in its original meeting, had included wording that the city did not act in good faith. This was later amended to state that the city did act in good faith. The court ruled that the written finding issued February 16th (which stated that the city acted in good faith)
• “is appropriate and is deemed to be the decision of the board from which these parties seek an appeal”.
The City of Bossier appealed saying that the Board only had the authority to either affirm the city’s decision or reinstate Vernon, that it did not have the authority to change the punishment.
Vernon’s lawyer had brought up the fact that the tapes of the Civil Service hearing were incomplete and of poor quality.
The court noted on this issue that
• “The statute reads that the Board shall not be required to have the testimony taken and transcribed, but either the employee or the appointing authority may, at their own expense, make the necessary arrangements therefore”.
Since neither the city nor Vernon’s lawyer had arranged for transcripts, then none were made. The ruling of the board stands on its own.
The court reviewed Vernon’s incident report and the tapes from the in-car video during transport. The Judge noted that Vernon’s report contained the following in chronological order:
Line 6: transported Sentell to the Bossier City Jail
Line 7: begins ‘while in route’
Line 20: he (Sentell) then advised me (Vernon) that he was going to see to it that officers were sued and that the officers were going to lose their jobs over this incident.
Line 23: Upon arrival at the Bossier City Jail
The Court concluded
• “While reading this narrative in context and applying a reasonable understanding to these words as would be expected by a reasonable person, the reader can draw the conclusion that the ‘intimidation’ the officers would lose their job was made during the transport to the jail while the arrestee was in the police vehicle”.
The court reviewed the tapes and agreed with internal affairs investigators that Sentell was agitated and intoxicated.
• “While the Court notes that during the video Mr. Sentell requested several persons of influence be contacted; threatened to sue; informed the officers of his job duties and utilized words that would make a Sunday School teacher blush, Mr. Sentell did not threaten the officers with the loss of their jobs during his transport to jail. This directly contradicts the supplemental report filed by Mr. Vernon.”
• “Of importance is the question that Mr. Vernon, during the internal affairs investigation, was asked in hindsight after listening to the tape do you still feel that Mr. Sentell was trying to threaten you with your job. Mr. Vernon’s answer was ‘hindsight, and looking at the tape, um I’d have to say no, sir’.”
Conclusion:
• “This Court, having reviewed the law and evidence does hereby affirm the findings of fact and decision by the Board issued on February 16, 2010. The appeals filed by the City of Bossier City and Philip Vernon are without merit and each appellant should bear the costs associated with its appeal.”
Philip Vernon is still an officer with BCPD, but the 90 day suspension for filing a false report stands.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Former BCPD officer speaks out for Philip Vernon
I received this email this afternoon and am putting it in as a blog post.
My name is Mike Moore. I am a former full-time Bossier City Police Officer. I left BCPD to pursue another opportunity in the hopes that it would save another officer’s job amid the budget crisis our city faced this year. I, unlike many others, was lucky enough to have stable financial support from my family. My proudest achievement was the day I was sworn in as a Bossier City Police Officer. It was my lifelong dream to serve my community as a police officer. As you can imagine, my decision to leave was one of the most difficult that I have ever made. Not a day goes by that I do not think of my fellow brothers and sisters who serve our community still. Having said that, I still feel an obligation to protect and defend those men and women when they come under fire.
I am writing in response to posts regarding the officer involved in the incident with Assistant D.A. Sherb Sentell. It is not my wish to bash Mr. Sentell or our city. I simply want to offer another point of view regarding the incident. The officer’s name is Phillip Vernon and I am proud to call him my friend. I worked alongside Officer Vernon on the night shift for more than a year and a half. His service to our city has never been anything less than exemplary. There was never a doubt on those nights that Officer Vernon would be a reliable source of assistance, knowledge, and service. He never took his responsibilities lightly and it reflected in his work, his demeanor, and his professionalism.
There is no typical night in Bossier City for a police officer. They perform their duties no matter the situation, time of day, or weather. They run to the things that most of us run away from. They always show up during every holiday, event, or disaster often sacrificing time with their own families to serve the needs of the community. It is not unusual for an officer to respond to call after call after call. It is not unusual for an officer to be in the middle of handling one situation while others in need await the next available officer. The men and women of the BCPD pride themselves in the services they provide our citizens. The needs of our citizens have always been and will remain the top priority of our police officers. Phillip Vernon is no exception. It is his desire to serve our community with the same dedication and conviction.
The question remains, did Mr Sentell threaten officer Vernon’s job? I don’t know Mr Sentell. Perhaps, he is the upstanding citizen he and others claim he is. I do, however, know Phillip Vernon. He is a man of character and integrity. He had nothing to gain by lying about Mr. Sentell’s actions. I believe wholeheartedly that Officer Vernon did exactly what he thought was right. He did exactly what he would have done no matter who the man or woman was in that patrol car. He did exactly what any of us would have done in the same situation. As I see it, the officers involved in Sentell’s arrest couldn’t have won that night. If they had let Sentell go, and he had harmed his wife, what would we all be saying now instead? They did what they were instructed to do under the law and as they would have no matter who the victim or suspect were. I believe that ultimately it didn’t matter which officers had been involved. The outcome would have been the same.
My name is Mike Moore. I am a former full-time Bossier City Police Officer. I left BCPD to pursue another opportunity in the hopes that it would save another officer’s job amid the budget crisis our city faced this year. I, unlike many others, was lucky enough to have stable financial support from my family. My proudest achievement was the day I was sworn in as a Bossier City Police Officer. It was my lifelong dream to serve my community as a police officer. As you can imagine, my decision to leave was one of the most difficult that I have ever made. Not a day goes by that I do not think of my fellow brothers and sisters who serve our community still. Having said that, I still feel an obligation to protect and defend those men and women when they come under fire.
I am writing in response to posts regarding the officer involved in the incident with Assistant D.A. Sherb Sentell. It is not my wish to bash Mr. Sentell or our city. I simply want to offer another point of view regarding the incident. The officer’s name is Phillip Vernon and I am proud to call him my friend. I worked alongside Officer Vernon on the night shift for more than a year and a half. His service to our city has never been anything less than exemplary. There was never a doubt on those nights that Officer Vernon would be a reliable source of assistance, knowledge, and service. He never took his responsibilities lightly and it reflected in his work, his demeanor, and his professionalism.
There is no typical night in Bossier City for a police officer. They perform their duties no matter the situation, time of day, or weather. They run to the things that most of us run away from. They always show up during every holiday, event, or disaster often sacrificing time with their own families to serve the needs of the community. It is not unusual for an officer to respond to call after call after call. It is not unusual for an officer to be in the middle of handling one situation while others in need await the next available officer. The men and women of the BCPD pride themselves in the services they provide our citizens. The needs of our citizens have always been and will remain the top priority of our police officers. Phillip Vernon is no exception. It is his desire to serve our community with the same dedication and conviction.
The question remains, did Mr Sentell threaten officer Vernon’s job? I don’t know Mr Sentell. Perhaps, he is the upstanding citizen he and others claim he is. I do, however, know Phillip Vernon. He is a man of character and integrity. He had nothing to gain by lying about Mr. Sentell’s actions. I believe wholeheartedly that Officer Vernon did exactly what he thought was right. He did exactly what he would have done no matter who the man or woman was in that patrol car. He did exactly what any of us would have done in the same situation. As I see it, the officers involved in Sentell’s arrest couldn’t have won that night. If they had let Sentell go, and he had harmed his wife, what would we all be saying now instead? They did what they were instructed to do under the law and as they would have no matter who the victim or suspect were. I believe that ultimately it didn’t matter which officers had been involved. The outcome would have been the same.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Sentell Tapes
If you have trouble hearing some of the audio, this is not an official transcript, just what I heard. If I made any mistakes, feel free to correct me. Warning, some of the language is rather graphic.
Tape #1 - At the Horseshoe before transit to jail
Sentell: Hey! Hey buddy! Hey, it’s too tight. Can you loosen them a little bit, they are too tight. Man, they’re cutting off my fucking arms. Try them again, please try, they’re too tight.
Come on dude, I’m Schuyler Marvin’s chief assistant. C’mon buddy, let me talk to you buddy, what the fuck is wrong with you? They’re tight. Come on man, what the fuck is wrong with you?
Please buddy, Jesus. What the fuck is wrong with you? Hey, what’s wrong with you man? Call Schuyler. What the fuck’s wrong with you? Hey, come on, hey, come on.
Hey, can you call Schuyler? Look, c’mon, what the fuck Dude? What the fuck is wrong with you? Call Schuyler Marvin, he’s my boss. Look, I run the Webster Parish DA’s office, what the fuck is wrong with you man?
Call him. Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you? Dude, hey, hey look. I’m not a criminal, what the fuck is wrong with you? Man this is all about justice. Justice, we want justice for all.
Dude, hey, I know you can hear me – call him. Could I give you the number? Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you man?
Why are you locking me up in the fucking car? Dude. Hey man, man what the fuck is wrong with you? C’mon man, it’s about justice, it ain’t about fucking convictions, it’s about justice. I know you fucking hear me.
Let me talk to you, can I tell you his number?
Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you? Man. Dude.
Hey. Hey, will you call Schuyler? What the fuck is wrong with you guys?
I mean dude, what the fuck is wrong with you?
Hey dude!
Officer!
Call Schuyler, I’ll tell you his number. What the fuck is wrong with you?
I’m chief assistant DA. I got, hey look come here! I’ve got a badge.
What the fuck is wrong with you man?
You talk to Steve . . . . man!
You talk to Rogers. What the fuck is wrong with you man?
Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you?
Talk to me man. I got Steve Rogers number man, call me. Talk to me.
What the fuck is wrong man? Let them know what’s wrong.
You want to talk to Cedric? You want to talk to Cedric Glover? What the fuck, man?
Hey dude! Officer!
What the fuck is wrong with you? Talk to me.
I’m not drunk. Talk to me.
Tape #2 - In transit to the police station
Sentell: Dude, man, what the fuck man, call Schuyler. What the fuck is wrong with you?
Man, what’s wrong with you, seriously? Why won’t you let me call, I mean, Jesus Christ. What’s the problem guys? (Can’t understand), I mean what the fuck is wrong?
Seriously guys, what the fuck is wrong? I mean, like, why are you like hauling me away?
I’m not drunk at all, I’m not. What the fuck, I mean, I’m absolutely . . . .
Police Officer: this doesn’t have anything to do with being drunk, this has to do with you getting arrested for domestic abuse battery.
Sentell: What are you talking about? Domestic abuse battery, what are you talking about?
Police Officer: A police officer and other witnesses saw you grab your wife and push her up against a wall. I wasn’t there, I’m telling you that’s what happened.
Sentell: Did you ask her?
Police Officer: I haven’t talked to her about that.
Sentell: Call Steve I mean . . .
I mean, guys, seriously, I mean call Schuyler, I mean Steve, I mean this is crazy. Call Hugo Holland, I mean this is ridiculous.
I mean I’m the guy that puts all the rapists and robbery away in Webster Parish.
Police Officer: Well, that don’t give you the right . .
Sentell: No, I would never, absolutely never abuse my wife. Absolutely not, I agree, if I did you should absolutely arrest me. But this is ridiculous – I mean, I mean, what are y’all fucking doing? You’re crazy.
You’re trying to like, you know, like submit yourself to a lawsuit? I mean what the fuck are you thinking?
Police Officer: You’d better watch your mouth.
Sentell: No, no I mean Ron Miciotto and I we gonna be, we gonna be all over this. Don’t worry about it, Ron Miciotto and I, we’re close, and I mean, you guys, you’re crazy. What the fuck are you thinking? Man, it’s crazy, what were you thinking arresting me?
I mean, seriously, what the fuck were you thinking?
I mean, I appreciate you guys, you guys you know nobody ever understands the hardships y’all go through, but Good God. I mean, what are you thinking? Sometimes I wonder, now I really wonder. Man, it’s stuff like this that makes me wonder what the fuck, I mean seriously, what the fuck are you thinking? I mean do we like pull over, and y’all arrest me? I mean why, I mean what the fuck are you thinking? This doesn’t make any sense at all. I mean I want to give everybody a fucking chance, if they make a mistake you know, everybody’s human but you guys, what the fuck are you thinking?
Sad, sad. I mean, whatever you want to do. Call Schuyler, call Steve Rogers. Call them, seriously, call them. What the fuck, call them. You’ve got somebody in the back seat who’s in handcuffs and he doesn’t know why he’s in fucking handcuffs. Call them. Call them, guys, call them.
CAR STOPS, DOOR OPENS, END OF TAPE
Tape #1 - At the Horseshoe before transit to jail
Sentell: Hey! Hey buddy! Hey, it’s too tight. Can you loosen them a little bit, they are too tight. Man, they’re cutting off my fucking arms. Try them again, please try, they’re too tight.
Come on dude, I’m Schuyler Marvin’s chief assistant. C’mon buddy, let me talk to you buddy, what the fuck is wrong with you? They’re tight. Come on man, what the fuck is wrong with you?
Please buddy, Jesus. What the fuck is wrong with you? Hey, what’s wrong with you man? Call Schuyler. What the fuck’s wrong with you? Hey, come on, hey, come on.
Hey, can you call Schuyler? Look, c’mon, what the fuck Dude? What the fuck is wrong with you? Call Schuyler Marvin, he’s my boss. Look, I run the Webster Parish DA’s office, what the fuck is wrong with you man?
Call him. Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you? Dude, hey, hey look. I’m not a criminal, what the fuck is wrong with you? Man this is all about justice. Justice, we want justice for all.
Dude, hey, I know you can hear me – call him. Could I give you the number? Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you man?
Why are you locking me up in the fucking car? Dude. Hey man, man what the fuck is wrong with you? C’mon man, it’s about justice, it ain’t about fucking convictions, it’s about justice. I know you fucking hear me.
Let me talk to you, can I tell you his number?
Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you? Man. Dude.
Hey. Hey, will you call Schuyler? What the fuck is wrong with you guys?
I mean dude, what the fuck is wrong with you?
Hey dude!
Officer!
Call Schuyler, I’ll tell you his number. What the fuck is wrong with you?
I’m chief assistant DA. I got, hey look come here! I’ve got a badge.
What the fuck is wrong with you man?
You talk to Steve . . . . man!
You talk to Rogers. What the fuck is wrong with you man?
Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you?
Talk to me man. I got Steve Rogers number man, call me. Talk to me.
What the fuck is wrong man? Let them know what’s wrong.
You want to talk to Cedric? You want to talk to Cedric Glover? What the fuck, man?
Hey dude! Officer!
What the fuck is wrong with you? Talk to me.
I’m not drunk. Talk to me.
Tape #2 - In transit to the police station
Sentell: Dude, man, what the fuck man, call Schuyler. What the fuck is wrong with you?
Man, what’s wrong with you, seriously? Why won’t you let me call, I mean, Jesus Christ. What’s the problem guys? (Can’t understand), I mean what the fuck is wrong?
Seriously guys, what the fuck is wrong? I mean, like, why are you like hauling me away?
I’m not drunk at all, I’m not. What the fuck, I mean, I’m absolutely . . . .
Police Officer: this doesn’t have anything to do with being drunk, this has to do with you getting arrested for domestic abuse battery.
Sentell: What are you talking about? Domestic abuse battery, what are you talking about?
Police Officer: A police officer and other witnesses saw you grab your wife and push her up against a wall. I wasn’t there, I’m telling you that’s what happened.
Sentell: Did you ask her?
Police Officer: I haven’t talked to her about that.
Sentell: Call Steve I mean . . .
I mean, guys, seriously, I mean call Schuyler, I mean Steve, I mean this is crazy. Call Hugo Holland, I mean this is ridiculous.
I mean I’m the guy that puts all the rapists and robbery away in Webster Parish.
Police Officer: Well, that don’t give you the right . .
Sentell: No, I would never, absolutely never abuse my wife. Absolutely not, I agree, if I did you should absolutely arrest me. But this is ridiculous – I mean, I mean, what are y’all fucking doing? You’re crazy.
You’re trying to like, you know, like submit yourself to a lawsuit? I mean what the fuck are you thinking?
Police Officer: You’d better watch your mouth.
Sentell: No, no I mean Ron Miciotto and I we gonna be, we gonna be all over this. Don’t worry about it, Ron Miciotto and I, we’re close, and I mean, you guys, you’re crazy. What the fuck are you thinking? Man, it’s crazy, what were you thinking arresting me?
I mean, seriously, what the fuck were you thinking?
I mean, I appreciate you guys, you guys you know nobody ever understands the hardships y’all go through, but Good God. I mean, what are you thinking? Sometimes I wonder, now I really wonder. Man, it’s stuff like this that makes me wonder what the fuck, I mean seriously, what the fuck are you thinking? I mean do we like pull over, and y’all arrest me? I mean why, I mean what the fuck are you thinking? This doesn’t make any sense at all. I mean I want to give everybody a fucking chance, if they make a mistake you know, everybody’s human but you guys, what the fuck are you thinking?
Sad, sad. I mean, whatever you want to do. Call Schuyler, call Steve Rogers. Call them, seriously, call them. What the fuck, call them. You’ve got somebody in the back seat who’s in handcuffs and he doesn’t know why he’s in fucking handcuffs. Call them. Call them, guys, call them.
CAR STOPS, DOOR OPENS, END OF TAPE
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Bogus 'conspiracy theories' keep popping up regarding the Sentell incident
I just want to clear the air on a couple of points. In reading the comments on My Bossier, Channels 3 and 12, and The Times, a theme seems to have appeared that goes hand in hand with Eric Johnson’s statement to the Inquisitor, twisting, as I have said previously, information that obviously came from the Bossier DA’s office. That theme is that there was a ‘conspiracy’ against Mr. Sentell, and that my family was ‘out to get him’.
I suppose that conspiracy involved recruiting a pit boss at Horseshoe to alert security and then having the security get the police officer who was working at the Horseshoe that night. This fraudulent conspiracy hit the heights in the Times on Wednesday with this comment on an article about the incident:
If the AG declines prosecution (which I predict he will quickly), it will be because there is NO EVIDENCE to support the charges. Of course, we already know that. This was a plan by Officer Wells and his father to try to force Mr. Sentell to resign. I also suspect and hope that Mr. Marvin does indeed rehire Mr. Sentell, and that prior to that, he finds the evidence he needs to fully prosecute Officer Wells for filing a false police report and conspiracy, and to prosecute his father for conspiracy as well.
To enlighten the commenter and others of his ilk, until two weeks ago I had never heard of Sherb Sentell. I was aware there was a Sentell Law Firm in Minden, but that was the extent of my knowledge.
Now, of course, I realize that he is apparently a big whoop-de-doo in Minden, and that’s fine. I don’t live in Minden and don’t generally concern myself with Minden affairs. As I said, I never heard of the man before the arrest took place and certainly bear him no ill will.
So add that to your conspiracy list. I was allegedly conspiring against someone I never heard of for reasons that have been proven to be untrue.
But I doubt that the truth will stop the rumors, it seldom does.
I suppose that conspiracy involved recruiting a pit boss at Horseshoe to alert security and then having the security get the police officer who was working at the Horseshoe that night. This fraudulent conspiracy hit the heights in the Times on Wednesday with this comment on an article about the incident:
If the AG declines prosecution (which I predict he will quickly), it will be because there is NO EVIDENCE to support the charges. Of course, we already know that. This was a plan by Officer Wells and his father to try to force Mr. Sentell to resign. I also suspect and hope that Mr. Marvin does indeed rehire Mr. Sentell, and that prior to that, he finds the evidence he needs to fully prosecute Officer Wells for filing a false police report and conspiracy, and to prosecute his father for conspiracy as well.
To enlighten the commenter and others of his ilk, until two weeks ago I had never heard of Sherb Sentell. I was aware there was a Sentell Law Firm in Minden, but that was the extent of my knowledge.
Now, of course, I realize that he is apparently a big whoop-de-doo in Minden, and that’s fine. I don’t live in Minden and don’t generally concern myself with Minden affairs. As I said, I never heard of the man before the arrest took place and certainly bear him no ill will.
So add that to your conspiracy list. I was allegedly conspiring against someone I never heard of for reasons that have been proven to be untrue.
But I doubt that the truth will stop the rumors, it seldom does.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Sentell will not be prosecuted
Kurt Wall of the AG's office has announced that Sherb Sentell will not be prosecuted. The AG received an affidavit from Mrs. Sentell asking that the charges not be pursued.
Attorney General's statement:
After conducting a thorough investigation into the case of any alleged criminal conduct arising out of an apparent domestic dispute in a public place involving former Assistant District Attorney Charles S. Sentell, III, the Attorney General's Office has found no merit to the allegations worthy of prosecution. Furthermore, after receiving a request for non-prosecution by the alleged victim, Ms. Julie Sentell, she was interviewed by a relevant expert witness in this matter. The interview(s) also support non-prosecution. The case in its entirety substantially lacks merit for any further action of criminal consideration, and any complaints are hereby finally dismissed for at least these reasons.
Kurt Wall
Director, Criminal Division
Attorney General's statement:
After conducting a thorough investigation into the case of any alleged criminal conduct arising out of an apparent domestic dispute in a public place involving former Assistant District Attorney Charles S. Sentell, III, the Attorney General's Office has found no merit to the allegations worthy of prosecution. Furthermore, after receiving a request for non-prosecution by the alleged victim, Ms. Julie Sentell, she was interviewed by a relevant expert witness in this matter. The interview(s) also support non-prosecution. The case in its entirety substantially lacks merit for any further action of criminal consideration, and any complaints are hereby finally dismissed for at least these reasons.
Kurt Wall
Director, Criminal Division
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Update on Vernon case
This is a synopsis of what has transpired since the firing of Bossier City Police Officer Phillip Vernon last December. I am assuming that the readers of My Bossier are familiar with the arrest of Sherb Sentell, 26th JDC ADA and the subsequent firing of Reserve Officer Jared Fisher and Officer Phillip Vernon. The two officers were fired for filing false reports in backing up the charge of public intimidation.
Officer Vernon’s report stated:
Reserve Officer Fisher was more specific, saying that the threat came as they were turning into the police station.
In an interview with Lt. Larry Stockton, after hearing the tape from the car, Vernon stated that it must have happened after they exited the car.
Reserve Officer Fisher did not change his statement, saying that it happened in the car.
Vernon appealed his termination to the Fire & Police Civil Service Board.
At the February hearing, according to Vernon’s lawyer, the officer was ‘shocked and dismayed’ to find that former 26th JDC Judge Cecil Campbell was the board’s attorney. Campbell currently prosecutes felony domestic abuse cases for the DA’s office. “Not surprisingly”, the lawyer continues in his brief, “the majority of rulings favored Sentell and/or the appointing authority. He went so far to say that some of the rulings were “absolutely contrary to law”.
He doesn’t bother to enumerate those adverse rulings, and indeed, the board ruled that the city had acted without just cause and changed the termination to a 90 day suspension.
A few days later the board met and changed the ruling to read that the city had acted with just cause. Board member Lt. Jimmie Stewart said that he misspoke when he made the motion and Board Chairman James Huckabay said that he misheard it.
On February 25th the City of Bossier City filed suit against Vernon and the Civil Service Board to overturn their ruling and enforce the termination.
On February 26th Vernon filed suit to overturn the decision of the Civil Service Board and for reinstatement.
The two suits were combined.
Various briefs and filings were made, among the notable claims by Vernon was that the Civil Service Board provided incomplete and spliced tape recordings and transcripts of the proceedings.
The City maintains that the ruling of the board stands on its own. The city offers state law in support.
There is an attempt by Vernon’s lawyer to make a ‘conspiracy’ case, just as he is doing in the Chubby Knight case.
Chief Halphen, Lt. Stockton, Cpl. Murray Wells and Judge Campbell all were complicit in this conspiracy against his client. By extension, Reserve Officer Fisher would be too, since at the Civil Service hearing he did not change his statement that the alleged threat was made in the car.
[Disclaimer: Nearly everyone who reads the blog knows that Officer Murray Wells is my son. Despite that fact, and despite the fact that Vernon’s lawyer has made statements to the media and in court filings that my son is not being truthful, I am trying to present this in as factual a manner as possible.]
In another brief, the lawyer waxes eloquent, describing the actions of the Bossier City Fire & Police Civil Service Board in what he says are the words of Nazi henchman and Propaganda Minister Josef Goebbels.
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”
As I stated in a previous post, Judge Parker Self will issue a ruling on the merits of the above case within the next couple of weeks.
In the meantime, Vernon has filed another suit for reinstatement and compensatory damages. The main difference in the suits is that the new one includes all attorney fees and costs.
Officer Vernon’s report stated:
- 18. “C. Sentell refused to stop talking and he stated that he is friends with Ron Miciotto, a local attorney, and he was going to sue every officer involved.
- 19. He then advised me that he was going to see to it that officers were sued and that the officers were going to lose their jobs over this incident.
- 20. I advised C. Sentell that he could be charged for making the threats to the jobs of the Bossier City Police Officers involved in this arrest.
- 21. C. Sentell continued to curse and he continued to tell this officer to call Schuyler Marvin right now.
Reserve Officer Fisher was more specific, saying that the threat came as they were turning into the police station.
In an interview with Lt. Larry Stockton, after hearing the tape from the car, Vernon stated that it must have happened after they exited the car.
Reserve Officer Fisher did not change his statement, saying that it happened in the car.
Vernon appealed his termination to the Fire & Police Civil Service Board.
At the February hearing, according to Vernon’s lawyer, the officer was ‘shocked and dismayed’ to find that former 26th JDC Judge Cecil Campbell was the board’s attorney. Campbell currently prosecutes felony domestic abuse cases for the DA’s office. “Not surprisingly”, the lawyer continues in his brief, “the majority of rulings favored Sentell and/or the appointing authority. He went so far to say that some of the rulings were “absolutely contrary to law”.
He doesn’t bother to enumerate those adverse rulings, and indeed, the board ruled that the city had acted without just cause and changed the termination to a 90 day suspension.
A few days later the board met and changed the ruling to read that the city had acted with just cause. Board member Lt. Jimmie Stewart said that he misspoke when he made the motion and Board Chairman James Huckabay said that he misheard it.
On February 25th the City of Bossier City filed suit against Vernon and the Civil Service Board to overturn their ruling and enforce the termination.
On February 26th Vernon filed suit to overturn the decision of the Civil Service Board and for reinstatement.
The two suits were combined.
Various briefs and filings were made, among the notable claims by Vernon was that the Civil Service Board provided incomplete and spliced tape recordings and transcripts of the proceedings.
The City maintains that the ruling of the board stands on its own. The city offers state law in support.
- La. R.S. 33:2478(A)(3): The board shall not be required to have the testimony taken and transcribed, but either the employee or the appointing authority may, at their own expense, make the necessary arrangements therefor. In such cases the board shall name any competent shorthand reporter as the official reporter. If the testimony is not taken or transcribed, then the board shall make a written finding of fact.
There is an attempt by Vernon’s lawyer to make a ‘conspiracy’ case, just as he is doing in the Chubby Knight case.
Chief Halphen, Lt. Stockton, Cpl. Murray Wells and Judge Campbell all were complicit in this conspiracy against his client. By extension, Reserve Officer Fisher would be too, since at the Civil Service hearing he did not change his statement that the alleged threat was made in the car.
[Disclaimer: Nearly everyone who reads the blog knows that Officer Murray Wells is my son. Despite that fact, and despite the fact that Vernon’s lawyer has made statements to the media and in court filings that my son is not being truthful, I am trying to present this in as factual a manner as possible.]
In another brief, the lawyer waxes eloquent, describing the actions of the Bossier City Fire & Police Civil Service Board in what he says are the words of Nazi henchman and Propaganda Minister Josef Goebbels.
As I stated in a previous post, Judge Parker Self will issue a ruling on the merits of the above case within the next couple of weeks.
In the meantime, Vernon has filed another suit for reinstatement and compensatory damages. The main difference in the suits is that the new one includes all attorney fees and costs.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Thoughts on the Sentell resignation
26th JDC District Attorney Schuyler Marvin announced today that he has accepted the resignation of Chief Webster Parish ADA Sherb Sentell and that his investigation into the matter has closed. He also announced that he is contacting the office of the Attorney General to take over the prosecution.
The Bossier City Police Department Investigation into the charge of Public Intimidation is continuing.
A reserve officer has been fired and a regular officer is on administrative leave. These were the two officers who transported Sentell to jail from the Horseshoe.
Sentell and his wife will hold a press conference on Tuesday from the office of their attorney, H. Lyn Lawrence.
On a personal level, I have a couple of observations, as I was brought into it by a call from
- That my son had a grudge against the DA’s office over the disposition of a case which I outlined here. This was a blatant lie.
- That I had been critical of the DA’s office in my blog. That is true, but I have also been supportive on other occasions. That’s what the blog is about. I give my opinions and plenty of commenters add theirs. In case no one has informed Mr. Johnson, our system allows public criticism and questioning of our elected officials. I still have some misgivings because the information he used was obviously fed to him by someone in the Bossier DA’s office who was familiar with my concerns about the case. This was out of line.
- That I am a friend of Judge Burchett. True. Most of you reading the blog are aware that Mike Craig challenged Judge Burchett last fall and won the election. Even after thinking about it for almost a week, I can see no relevance here. These guys need to realize that most people judge candidates by their merits and not by the clique they belong to. Most people don’t associate with a particular clique. This is the 21st century, it is time to let the past go and look to the future.
I will also observe that I thought The Inquisitor handled it fairly by contacting me so that I could respond to the allegations. I believe that the article they wrote fairly represented the events as they transpired.
Hopefully after this week the Sentells and everyone involved can resume a somewhat normal life.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Details coming out on arrest of Webster Parish ADA Sherb Sentell
According to a Times article this morning by John Andrew Prime, Webster Parish ADA C. Sherburne 'Sherb' Sentell III was charged with one count each of domestic abuse battery and public intimidation-bribery.
A Caddo Parish source who is familiar with the incident, which took place at Horseshoe Casino, told us that Sentell caught the attention of a pit boss who thought he was being abusive to his wife. When Horseshoe security and Bossier City Police approached him, he attempted to use his position to influence the arrest, saying that he would throw his own charges out.
According to my source, District Attorney Marvin was called and told the police in essence that he expected no special treatment for his assistant, to let him spend the night in jail and get a duty judge to set bail on Saturday morning.
Sentell also allegedly made a threat along the lines that someone would lose their job over this.
He may have been right on that point.
A Caddo Parish source who is familiar with the incident, which took place at Horseshoe Casino, told us that Sentell caught the attention of a pit boss who thought he was being abusive to his wife. When Horseshoe security and Bossier City Police approached him, he attempted to use his position to influence the arrest, saying that he would throw his own charges out.
According to my source, District Attorney Marvin was called and told the police in essence that he expected no special treatment for his assistant, to let him spend the night in jail and get a duty judge to set bail on Saturday morning.
Sentell also allegedly made a threat along the lines that someone would lose their job over this.
He may have been right on that point.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Sherb Sentell rehired as prosecutor
Sherb Sentell has been rehired by 26th JDC District Attorney Schuyler Marvin.
Sentell will be prosecuting misdemeanor cases in Minden City Court. Within a few months, Marvin anticipates assigning Sentell to district court to prosecute felonies.
Sentell will be prosecuting misdemeanor cases in Minden City Court. Within a few months, Marvin anticipates assigning Sentell to district court to prosecute felonies.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Inquisitor - Sentell may get Ron Miciotto to file suit against officers
The Inquisitor is reporting that a source told them that Sherb Sentell might get Ron Miciotto to file suit against two police officers, one of them a reserve officer who was fired without explanation, for their part in his arrest on public intimidation charges. This sort of statement, if the source is correct, may be a little premature, as the police department’s internal investigation of the incident is not completed. You can read Chief Halphen’s remarks about that in The Inquisitor also.
The article also notes that “The Inquisitor has learned that Cpl. Murray Wells, who initially arrested Sentell at the Horseshoe Casino is not in trouble and is reportedly not facing disciplinary action. It appears that the police department is standing behind Wells, citing the domestic violence law, which requires a police officer to make an arrest if he suspects a battery has occurred. They say the law is clearly on his side.”
It seems that the attempt by Eric Johnson to smear Cpl. Wells has been unsuccessful. You will recall that I posted last week about Johnson’s attempt to say the arrest was the result of some imagined “grudge” against Mr. Sentell, twisting information about a conversation I had with a Bossier Parish ADA.
How about an investigation into the fact that the Bossier DA’s office obviously fed information to a lawyer to give to The Inquisitor in an effort to discredit a police officer for doing his job?
The article also notes that “The Inquisitor has learned that Cpl. Murray Wells, who initially arrested Sentell at the Horseshoe Casino is not in trouble and is reportedly not facing disciplinary action. It appears that the police department is standing behind Wells, citing the domestic violence law, which requires a police officer to make an arrest if he suspects a battery has occurred. They say the law is clearly on his side.”
It seems that the attempt by Eric Johnson to smear Cpl. Wells has been unsuccessful. You will recall that I posted last week about Johnson’s attempt to say the arrest was the result of some imagined “grudge” against Mr. Sentell, twisting information about a conversation I had with a Bossier Parish ADA.
How about an investigation into the fact that the Bossier DA’s office obviously fed information to a lawyer to give to The Inquisitor in an effort to discredit a police officer for doing his job?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Webster Parish Chief ADA Sherb Sentell resigns, Attorney General to take over case
Bossier/Webster District Attorney Shuyler Marvin accepted the resignation of Webster Chief ADA Sherb Sentell today. Marvin said that the decision was mutual. "I thought it was in my office's best interest that he no longer work here," Marvin said today. He has called in the State Attorney General's office to take over the criminal case.
Sentell and his wife are scheduled to hold a news conference on Tuesday at his lawyer's office.
Read the story on the KTBS website. We will blog more later.
Sentell and his wife are scheduled to hold a news conference on Tuesday at his lawyer's office.
Read the story on the KTBS website. We will blog more later.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sentell threatened to use his 'political influence' to get officers fired
From KTBS
On the way to jail, police said, Sentell - who had told them numerous times he was a prosecutor -- threatened repeatedly to use his "political influence" against the arresting officers if he was arrested.
Sentell's comments were captured by an in-car video system, police said. What happened inside the casino was recorded by its security system.
On the way to jail, police said, Sentell - who had told them numerous times he was a prosecutor -- threatened repeatedly to use his "political influence" against the arresting officers if he was arrested.
Sentell's comments were captured by an in-car video system, police said. What happened inside the casino was recorded by its security system.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Civil Service hearing for fired officer will continue on Thursday
The civil service hearing for fired Bossier City Police officer Philip Vernon will continue tomorrow afternoon.
Vernon was fired for filing a report that was inaccurate in regards to the threats of intimidation that he had charged. Vernon said in his report that former Webster Parish ADA Sherb Sentell had threatened his, and reserve officer Jared Fisher’s, jobs in the police car while en route to the jail. The tapes reveal Sentell threatening a lawsuit, but not threatening to get the officers fired.
He later filed a supplemental report that said the threat happened between the car and the jail.
Sentell invoked his constitutional right to plead the fifth amendment and not testify at the hearing.
Police Chief Mike Halphen testified that he had no choice but to fire Vernon, since the evidence on the tapes differed from what Vernon said in his report.
Halphen said that the discrepancy called Vernon’s credibility into question in any future cases.
"Any defense attorney would hold up that report and say, 'You lied in that report,'" Halphen said.
Vernon was fired for filing a report that was inaccurate in regards to the threats of intimidation that he had charged. Vernon said in his report that former Webster Parish ADA Sherb Sentell had threatened his, and reserve officer Jared Fisher’s, jobs in the police car while en route to the jail. The tapes reveal Sentell threatening a lawsuit, but not threatening to get the officers fired.
He later filed a supplemental report that said the threat happened between the car and the jail.
Sentell invoked his constitutional right to plead the fifth amendment and not testify at the hearing.
Police Chief Mike Halphen testified that he had no choice but to fire Vernon, since the evidence on the tapes differed from what Vernon said in his report.
Halphen said that the discrepancy called Vernon’s credibility into question in any future cases.
"Any defense attorney would hold up that report and say, 'You lied in that report,'" Halphen said.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Chief Webster Parish ADA arrested
Chief Webster Parish ADA Sherb Sentell was arrested in Bossier City last night on several charges. We understand that he is being booked into the Bossier Maximum facility and will have more details as soon as they are available.
Sentell apparently was drinking and shoved his wife.
Sentell apparently was drinking and shoved his wife.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Successful Haynesville Shale well just south of Benton
Southern Star Energy, a fast-growing E&P company with reserves and production from leases located in northern Louisiana, today announced that it has successfully drilled and logged the targeted Haynesville interval in its Atkins-Lincoln 17-2 Well with positive results. The well reached a total depth of 11,300 feet on October 14, 2008. This well is strategically located in the center section of the Company's Sentell Field in Bossier Parish, Louisiana. The Atkins-Lincoln 17-2 is the second well in the Company's 2008 development program and the first of two Haynesville Shale vertical test wells in the Sentell Field planned for 2008.
Wireline logging and mud log shows indicate the Atkins-Lincoln 17-2 Well encountered 205 feet of highly laminated, silty, and naturally fractured shale zone with cross plot porosities ranging from nine to 12 percent. Mud logs indicated abundant gas shows throughout the interval, ranging from 400 to 600 units with trip gas as high as 3,000 units. This interval exhibits the characteristics of the Lower Bossier Shale. Immediately below this laminated section, the well encountered approximately 185 feet of quality dark black organic rich shale. In this zone, gas shows ranged between 1,100 and 3,000 units. This lower interval exhibits all of the characteristics that the industry classifies as the Haynesville Shale. The wellbore is suspended with 7-inch intermediate casing through the Cotton Valley Formation at 9,500 feet in order to preserve the Company's options to complete the well as a vertical producer, or to re-enter the wellbore for horizontal drilling pending the development of completion techniques.
Complete story at News Blaze
Friday, October 9, 2009
So I read The Inquisitor this morning
Two or three thoughts on what is in The Inquisitor this morning.
First of all, I thought that the article on Sherb Sentell fairly represented what happened and what has been said so far.
I thought a comment by Minden Attorney Eric Johnson, who volunteered his and Ron Miciotto's services to represent Sentell, was bizarre and out of line.
After saying that "Officer Wells seems to have a very vivid imagination, Johnson said that "Sherb was pretty lucky in one respect". When asked "How is that", he laughed and said "Since Sherb was unarmed, he could have been shot four times in the lobby of the Horseshoe by the Bossier City officer." Apparently he was jokingly referring to the fatal shooting of Scott Gray last week. I believe that Mr. Johnson is the one who has a very vivid imagination, and I thought his statement was despicable.
In the case of that shooting, The Inquisitor is reporting that Schuyler Marvin will probably send the case to a grand jury for review.
There is also an interesting article by local attorney John Settle, Jr. You'll have to buy The Inquisitor to read that one - better hurry, I'll bet they are going to go fast today.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Officer fired in Sentell arrest appeals to Civil Service Board
Former Bossier Police officer Phillip Vernon has appealed his firing.
Vernon was fired for willfully misrepresenting a matter in a report. The matter that he was alleged to have misrepresented were remarks he, and fired reserve officer Jared Fisher, reported were made by Sherb Sentell, the Webster Parish ADA allegedly threatening to have them fired.
Vernon had said that the remarks were made during transport. The in car video-audio system did not reflect that.
Vernon’s attorney, Joel Pearce, said “I think the public record is very clear that the (Bossier City police) officers have been given a warning that you don’t do this to one of us — a VIP,” Pearce said. “It's a chilling effect.”
The Civil Service Board will probably hear the appeal in February.
Vernon was fired for willfully misrepresenting a matter in a report. The matter that he was alleged to have misrepresented were remarks he, and fired reserve officer Jared Fisher, reported were made by Sherb Sentell, the Webster Parish ADA allegedly threatening to have them fired.
Vernon had said that the remarks were made during transport. The in car video-audio system did not reflect that.
Vernon’s attorney, Joel Pearce, said “I think the public record is very clear that the (Bossier City police) officers have been given a warning that you don’t do this to one of us — a VIP,” Pearce said. “It's a chilling effect.”
The Civil Service Board will probably hear the appeal in February.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
My Bossier's "attacks" on the District Attorney
Due to the comments that I have ‘attacked’ Schuyler Marvin, and knowing that although I have criticized at times I have also been supportive at times, I decided to search the archives of My Bossier up to the time of the Sentell arrest and see exactly what I have said. Here are excerpts from blog posts about Schuyler Marvin and his office.
The Negative:
- This blog post about nol-prossed charges in respect to one individual was negative.
- In one I blogged “The Bossier DA has a record of going very, very easy on people who attack or threaten police officers.”
- In another I said “Considering that Schuyler Marvin dropped 3 felony battery charges against someone who committed physical violence cussing out an officer will probably not receive any attention a all.”
The Positive:
- Personally, I have confidence that the DA will do the right thing, either in fully prosecuting the case or in recusing himself.
We'll support him in whichever option he follows. - A positive note in all this is the effort by DA Marvin to establish the
- The irony of it is that I believe he has done a good job as DA. If he had an opponent, I would probably be blogging pro-Schuyler.
In this case, however, I have to disagree with him. (In answer to a comment).
The Neutral:
- The DA’s influence definitely came into play. I’m not saying that he ‘ran’ Mike Craig in a move to increase his own power base, but it cannot be denied that Schuyler Marvin has some stroke with the voters.
- Everyone involved knew that DA Schuyler Marvin was behind Craig's run. I also find it interesting that his home parish of Webster did not support him in this.
- The District Attorney, born into a politically influential family, is supporting Judge Burchett’s opponent, an assistant DA. The boys are on the attack.
- Bossier-Webster Parish (26th JDC) District Attorney Schuyler Marvin (picture) is unopposed in the election this fall, so he will be the DA for another 6 years.
Three negatives, three positives and 4 ‘neutrals’. Hardly constitutes the vendetta against Marvin that has been portrayed by commenters to the blog. Then again, I’m certain that I’m about to get some more, so bring it on. Don't let the truth stand in your way.
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