The Alabama Digest
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
  • Login
  • Main News
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Main News
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Alabama Digest
No Result
View All Result
Home Main News

AG’s office: We didn’t hide witness investigation

Phillip Merritt by Phillip Merritt
August 8, 2022
in Main News
0
AG’s office: We didn’t hide witness investigation
0
SHARES
6
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

AG’s office: We didn’t hide witness investigation

The Alabama Attorney General’s Office is now claiming that it didn’t conceal an investigation into one of the state’s star witnesses in the public corruption trial of former Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely. 

RELATED POSTS

Supporting Ukraine through Consumer Power: The Initiatives Keeping Its Economy Afloat

January 24 in Alabama’s history: What happened on the day

In a court filing this week in Blakely’s appeal of his conviction, the state claims it notified Blakely’s defense team “nearly 18 months” prior to trial that a witness was under investigation. The filing, first reported by al.com on Thursday, also claims that Blakely’s defense was not harmed by the state’s failure to fully disclose the investigation, because his attorneys were aware of the investigation and presented evidence and testimony during the trial about it. 

The witness in question, as first reported last year by APR, was former political consultant Trent Willis, who has been accused by state Rep. Ritchie Whorton of stealing at least $100,000 from Whorton’s campaign account. Whorton and longtime political consultant Steve Raby told APR that they documented the alleged theft and presented the evidence – “laid out in detail,” they said – to investigators at the AG’s office. That was in 2018. 

To date, no charges have been filed against Willis. 

“It’s the most clear cut case of theft that I’ve ever seen,” said a source familiar with the evidence presented by Whorton and Raby to the AG’s office. “There’s absolutely no question that Willis took the money. So why hasn’t he been charged?” 

Attorneys for Blakely repeatedly asked in court filings and at hearings for the state to disclose any deals it had made with witnesses. Attorneys working for the AG said there were none. On the witness stand during the trial, Willis also said he had not been given a plea deal. 

However, during the trial, the state acknowledged the investigation of Willis for the first time. It came after the AG’s office had questioned Willis on the stand, but before the defense attorneys had a shot at him. After the acknowledgement of the investigation, Willis was instructed that he could invoke his fifth amendment rights and not incriminate himself by testifying. He chose to testify anyway.

Blakely was later convicted on one of the charges for which Willis, who managed one of Blakely’s campaigns, was the primary witness for the state.

Blakely was ultimately convicted of two counts and sentenced to three years in prison. He remains free on a $50,000 bond as he appeals that conviction.

ShareTweetPin
Phillip Merritt

Phillip Merritt

Related Posts

Supporting Ukraine through Consumer Power: The Initiatives Keeping Its Economy Afloat

Supporting Ukraine through Consumer Power: The Initiatives Keeping Its Economy Afloat

by Alice Trout
February 6, 2023
0

Amid the Russian invasion, Ukrainian creatives are taking matters into their own hands to keep the country's economy going. Fashion...

January 24 in Alabama’s history: What happened on the day

January 24 in Alabama’s history: What happened on the day

by Alice Trout
January 24, 2023
0

January 24th has seen a few significant events in Alabama's history. Here are a few notable examples: In 1861, Alabama...

Staying Informed: The Top 10 Most Popular News Websites on the East Coast of the United States”

Staying Informed: The Top 10 Most Popular News Websites on the East Coast of the United States”

by Alice Trout
January 19, 2023
0

The East Coast of the United States is home to some of the most dynamic and influential news outlets in...

Healthcare Advertising in Alabama: Ensuring Access to Accurate and Reliable Information

Healthcare Advertising in Alabama: Ensuring Access to Accurate and Reliable Information

by Alice Trout
January 3, 2023
0

Healthcare advertising plays a crucial role in informing and educating the public about important medical treatments and products, but it...

Supporting Mental Health in Alabama’s Startup Community

Supporting Mental Health in Alabama’s Startup Community

by Alice Trout
December 29, 2022
0

As the startup scene in Alabama continues to grow and thrive, it's important to prioritize the mental health and well-being...

Next Post
ALM director: Alabama cities are bouncing back better than before

ALM director: Alabama cities are bouncing back better than before

Incarcerated man found unresponsive, pronounced dead at Donaldson Correctional Facility

Incarcerated man found unresponsive, pronounced dead at Donaldson Correctional Facility

RECOMMENDED

Supporting Ukraine through Consumer Power: The Initiatives Keeping Its Economy Afloat

Supporting Ukraine through Consumer Power: The Initiatives Keeping Its Economy Afloat

February 6, 2023
January 24 in Alabama’s history: What happened on the day

January 24 in Alabama’s history: What happened on the day

January 24, 2023

MOST VIEWED

  • More details emerge in politico Perry O. Hooper’s arrest

    More details emerge in politico Perry O. Hooper’s arrest

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Danielle: meaning of a name

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • AG’s office: We didn’t hide witness investigation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Healthcare Advertising in Alabama: Ensuring Access to Accurate and Reliable Information

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • New director to form partnerships that support industry, boost UA

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
The Alabama Digest

CATEGORY

  • Main News

SITE LINKS

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
  • Main News
  • Contact Us

© 2022 thealabamadigest.com.

No Result
View All Result
  • Main News
  • Contact Us

© 2022 thealabamadigest.com.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In