Slusher Released from Laurel County Jail
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www.middlesborodailynews.com Tuesday, September 20, 2011 Serving the Tri-State community Printed on 100% Recycled Newsprint 12 Pages, 50¢ YOUR COMMUNITY Slusher released Shades of Fall Judicial panel finds from Laurel Harlan Co. judge guilty County jail of misconduct Accused now on home detention with electronic monitoring BY ROGER ALFORD BY ANTHONY CLOUD Associated Press Staff Writer FRANKFORT, Ky. LONDON, Ky. — Former Bell County resident (AP) — A Kentucky John Slusher was released on bail from the Laurel judge was found County Corrections facility after a hearing that went guilty of judicial mis- on for more than seven hours. conduct on Monday Slusher is indicted on several counts of money and ordered removed laundering scams involving the selling and interstate from office by the transporting of stolen motorcycles. Judicial Conduct The court stated that it does not find, by clear and Commission. convincing evidence, that the defendant is at serious Harlan County risk of flight or a serious risk of obstructing justice Circuit Judge Russell (threatening or injuring a witness in the case) before DONNA GREENE/ Middlesboro Daily News Alred hurriedly filed trial. The lawn at St Julian Parish School is sea of color with red, white, yel- notice that he intends After going though all the evidence, the court low orange and purple mums for the school’s fall fundraiser. Mums will be sold this week, Sept. 20-23. from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The to appeal to the found that the government failed to justify Slusher mums are in 8-inch pots and they are being sold for $6 each. Pictured Kentucky Supreme being detained at the corrections facility. Slusher will be on home detention with electronic are Eliabeth Crumley, Fran Crumley, Mickey Nelson, and Jessica Court, allowing him monitoring. The defendant is to have no contact O’Boyle. to remain in office at (directly or indirectly) with any co-defendant, wit- least until the panel's ness, potential witness, or victim; except in the pres- order has been thor- ence of his attorney. oughly reviewed. A lengthy list of conditions was included for the Judicial Conduct home detention condition, including that the defen- Miracle man Commission dant shall report to the United States Parole Office as Chairman Stephen directed, the defendant’s travel shall be restricted to Wolnitzek said in the the eastern district of Kentucky, and that the defen- ruling that Alred was dant is only to leave home for religious services, found guilty in guilty of nine counts medical treatment, and court appearances. of judicial misconduct The government argued that Slusher has a record for using his office for of membership in dangerous motorcycle gangs, has political and personal harbored a convicted felon, has threatened witness- 2010 shooting gain. es, and presents a risk of flight. "The actions ... The defense portrayed Slusher has “ a mere motorcycle enthusiast with community ties, support- Jury recommends show a blatant and ive friends, and as having a non-violent past,” court persistent failure to documents stated. 11 year sentence uphold the impartiali- On the issue of whether or not there was a risk of ty and integrity of the flight or non-appearance, the court found that the Staff Report “I am grateful that Bell County judiciary," Wolnitzek government failed to present a reason why the defen- juries are willing to hold wrote. dant would not appear in court. Slusher turned him- MIRACLE, Ky. — A accountable those who would Alred said Monday self in after learning about the warrant for his arrest. 54-year-old Miracle, he believes the panel's The government argued that Slusher should Ky., man has been found engage in such senseless acts ruling will be over- remain in detention, alleging that he is potentially guilty of first degree of violence.” turned on appeal. dangerous, as well. They cited Slusher’s motorcycle assault for shooting an "The ruling handed gang affiliation, referred to an instance of him 18-year-old in October — Karen Greene Blondell down by the Judicial allegedly harboring a dangerous fugitive, and 2010. Commonwealth Attorney Conduct Commission alleged multiple instances of witness intimidation. Kenneth Carter was today galvanizes my The court found that the evidence presented by found guilty of first position throughout the government failed to prove that Slusher present- degree assault in the this entire matter that ed a danger requiring detention, primarily because shooting of Devereux was unarmed and in his accountable those who “it is dated, vague, and premised upon widespread Wilder on October 6, I would not receive a front yard at the time of would engage in such hearsay,” court documents stated. 2010. The jury recom- the shooting. senseless acts of vio- fair shake," he said. Court documents state that the defense presented mended a sentence of Accusations against “The jury in this case lence,” said evidence through credible witnesses who did not eleven years in the peni- listened carefully to the Commonwealth Alred included one present a profile of Slusher that persuaded the court tentiary. involving the appoint- testimony and, after a Attorney Karen Greene to view Slusher as a danger risk. Wilder,18, was lengthy time of delibera- Blondell. ment of a special Slusher is still set to appear in court on October unconscious for 27 days grand jury to investi- tions, made the right Judge Robert 17. after the shooting, but decision. I am grateful Costanzo scheduled the gate the political Anthony Cloud is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily survived. News. He can be contacted at acloud@heartlandpublica- that Bell County juries sentencing of Carter for opponent of one of his Testimony at the trial are willing to hold October 3. relatives. tions.com. established that Wilder Alred, who repre- sented himself during Roundtable the removal hearing, said politics were at discussion Bell County Health the root of the com- on downtown plaints against him. In the order, development Wolnitzek said Alred set for Thurs. Department to hold had convened a spe- cial grand jury last MIDDLESBORO — year to investigate the On Thursday, September case involving his rel- 22, the League of Women flu clinic ative, who was run- voters will host a round- ning for judge-execu- table discussion about tive, even though downtown development. PINEVILLE — The Bell County Health that certain people get vaccinated either because The discussion will take Department will hold a Flu Vaccination Clinic at they are at high risk of having serious flu related Alred knew the alle- place at the Middlesboro gations were "woeful- the Pineville School (gym entrance) on Wednesday, complications or because they live with or care for Library. September 28, from 3 p.rn. to 6 p.m. people at high risk for developing flu-related com- ly inadequate to sup- Panel participants will If you are a member of the Kentucky Employee plications including: port an indictment." be Sam Coleman (Director Health Plan (KEEP), have Medicaid or Medicare 1. Pregnant women Alred was accused for Small Business Part B, the immunization will be covered. 2. Children younger than 5, but especially chil- of trying to use the Development at SKCTC), Otherwise the cost of the vaccination is $25. dren younger than 2 years old grand jury investiga- Rob Lincks (Director of 3. People 50 years of age and older tion to generate pub- the Bell County Chamber of Commerce), and Casey Who should get vaccinated? 4. People of any age with certain chronic med- licity that would bene- Thomas (Director of Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu ical conditions fit his relative's cam- Discover Downtown vaccine each year. While everyone should get a flu 5. People who live in nursing homes and other paign. Middlesboro). vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important long-term care facilities Wolnitzek said They will be explaining Alred had made asser- what they are doing rela- tions during the hear- tive to downtown develop- The Middlesboro Daily News is currently accepting ing that "were, at best, ment and the ways they disingenuous and, at are or can be pooling their entries for the Cumberland Mountain worst, blatant misrep- resources. The public is urged to resentations." attend and participate in Fall Festival Photography Contest the discussion. — See page 12 for details www.middlesborodailynews.com PAGE 2 THE DAILY NEWS |TUESDAY |SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 STATE NEWS Biker group mourns 5 who died at charity event BY KRISTIN M. HALL hatch on the RV did not close properly, allowing Over was a physical education and health teacher, Associated Press fumes from the generator to leak inside the vehi- counselors were brought in Monday to help stu- cle. CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A community dents deal with the tragedy. The gases were so bad in the camper that the of bikers drawn together for charity was reeling "They are reflecting on her and the positive per- bikers who found the bodies were taken to a hos- son that she was," said principal Bryan Feldman, Monday after five people died while camping at a pital after feeling dizzy and light-headed, Lang- adding that Over was in her fourth year of teach- Tennessee festival that the group stages to raise ford said. money for needy children. Clarksville police said carbon monoxide read- ing at the school and always helped with school An organizer of the Bikers Who Care event, ings inside the trailer were as high as 438 parts per functions, like assemblies. Bill Langford, said the victims were overcome million. Permissible limits for carbon monoxide "I don't know that it has hit all of us yet." when fumes from a generator leaked into their are 35 ppm averaged over eight hours with a 200 Langford said the bikers collect toys for needy rented camper.