|
|
| Ex-jailer faces jail for assault on inmate |
| By Daily Progress |
| Published: 04/19/2004 |
|
For having carnal knowledge of a female inmate at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail in Virginia, a former corrections officer was sentenced last Wednesday to spend one year in jail. The judge ordered that if jail officials allowed it, William Frank Martin Jr. could spend that time at home, where he would be electronically monitored. Two more years will be spent on probation, Judge Arthur Sinclair ruled. According to Robert Beatty, the jail's deputy superintendent, jail administrators will look at Martin's case to decide if he qualifies for home monitoring. A 30-year-old inmate jailed for failing to pay child support accused Martin in February 2003 of touching her breasts and genitals before trying to have sex with her inside a jailhouse laundry room. Martin admitted to the inappropriate touching, but his attorneys argued the victim was unreliable because she had given inconsistent statements about the encounter. Two months after hearing testimony in a one-day trial in November, Sinclair found Martin guilty. Martin has no prior criminal record and worked at the complex for about a year and a half before the incident, according to court records. Virginia law prohibits any jail employee who has authority over an inmate to have carnal knowledge of the inmate, even without the use of force, threat or intimidation. The defense called 11 character witnesses last Wednesday, including family, friends and professional acquaintances who testified that Martin is a good man who loved working in law enforcement. Martin, 38, is married, lives in Buckingham and works with his grandfather as a plumber's helper, according to testimony. As a convicted felon, he can no longer work in law enforcement and is prohibited from possessing firearms, eliminating hunting - something he used to enjoy - as a hobby. Sinclair rejected defense motions for a reconsideration of his guilty verdict and a plea for a new trial. Francis Mc.Q. Lawrence, who represents Martin, said he is considering filing an appeal. Martin is to report to jail April 28. |
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think