|
| Author
|
Post |
 
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
It appears some Flint Police are upset with longtime 9th Ward Councilman Scott Kincaid over his remarks regarding Flint Police Chief Tim Johnson not being a certified officer. Even the Flint Journal reporter who brought the issue up noted "The certification is not required for police department employees who do not act as full fledged law enforcement officers.
Current officers want Kincaid to remember that former Chief Trevor Hampton was not a certified officer. In actuality some sites refer to the Chief position as similar to a Corporate CEO. Other authors note this position is a political appointee.
When former Sheriff Joe Wilson retired, there was a series of articles related to Genesee Counsel Ward Chapman telling then Commissioner Tim Herman he was not allowed to apply for the Sheriff appointment due to a conflict with the two positions. Herman was involved in finance and to my knowledge had no police training whatsoever. |
|
|
Tue Jun 14, 2016 11:41 am |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
On October 25, 2013 CBS Radio Detroit and the AP presented a story on "DETROIT POLICE CHIEF ISN'T A CERTIFIED OFFICER, CAN'T MAKE ARRESTS".
The story evolved after the attempted carjacking of Chief Craig and criticism of his escaping from the scene. CBS noted that without his certification, his arrest powers
were limited.
They also noted how Craig, as a retired police officer allows him to carry a concealed weapon under federal law.
The Journal has demanded to know if Johnson has a CPL. |
|
|
|
Tue Jun 14, 2016 11:52 am |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
The Journal used Kincaid's comments on the supposed liability to the city because Johnson allowed his certification to lapse in 2011. Certifications lapse 2 years after an officer retires and no longer performs as an officer.
The story, 'CHIEF NOT A CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICER; Revelation raises concerns on City Council about liability, mayor's vetting process" was written by Molly Young and made front page on Sunday, June 12, 2016.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton made the same observation as the CBS Detroit reporter, Johnson is a political appointee. Leyton made it clear that he has few concerns over Johnson stepping into an active officer role. |
|
|
|
Tue Jun 14, 2016 12:02 pm |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
On September 22,2010, Saginaw mlive reporter Justin Engel reported on Trevor Hampton and his bid to become Saginaw's first public safety director position over both fire and police.
Hampton, Chief from 2006 to 2000, held a number of administrative posts after leaving Flint. The article describes Hampton's primary role as an administrator more interested in grants and statistic than in taking a "hands on " approach to his officers.
The article also cites morale problems within the department and City Council criticisms.
"Hampton raised eyebrows before he left office when he told then Sheriff Robert Pickell to stay out of Flint and its churches unless Pickell was willing to increase county support of Flint law enforcement. |
|
|
|
Tue Jun 14, 2016 12:15 pm |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
| Remember how council did not want to remove former Chief Tolbert? The Flint Journal on Sunday, June 12, 2016 (A7) finally covered the Detroit news story about how former Chief Tolbert is being looked at for possible perjury in the murder case that falsely sent a 14 year old to prison. |
|
|
|
Tue Jun 14, 2016 12:19 pm |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
Channel 5 last night had an exclusive interview with Chief Johnson. The chief told the reporter how he saw no reason to recertify prior to his taking his job as chief. "I have been a certified police officer for 30 years," said Chief Johnson, noting how his role as an administrator did not require certification,
Chief Johnson has taken steps to recertify and because of the recent artificial controversy, he has requested that his recertification date be moved up to mid-July.
The real surprise in the interview came when Chief Johnson was asked if the original story came from someone within the department. The chief's face looked pained as he agreed and said he knew who went to the media. Chief Johnson stated there was a concerted effort to create havoc within the Weaver administration.
It is being hinted that the individual was one of Tolbert's favored officers. Wonder how they feel now that Tolbert is facing serious allegations in his former job and had to hire an attorney. |
|
|
|
Sat Jun 18, 2016 9:51 am |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
Todays Detroit News (June 20,2016 A1) has two Tolbert stories and he has all six columns at the top of the page! George Hunter
1) Delay in Sanford notification questioned
The prosecution had evidence of the alleged perjury by former Detroit Police Chief (Former Flint Chief also) at least 8 (eight) months before they released the evidence that later would exonerate him to Sanford's attorney. The prosecutors were ethically bound to release the information sooner.
Tolbert had testified in July 2010 that Sanford had drawn a diagram of the 2007 quadruple murder scene. Allegedly Sanford, who was 14 at the time, had been denied rest prior to his admitting the crime.
Tolbert then admitted in October 2015 that he was the one who drew the diagram. Prosecutors are seeking perjury charges.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Mon Jun 20, 2016 11:00 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
Mon Jun 20, 2016 10:45 am |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
The Detroit News told about how in lawsuits related to the Sanford case there was testimony from 2 Detroit detectives that Tolbert interfered in their investigation involving hit man Vincent Smothers, who confessed to 12 murders. These murders included the ones that Sanford was convicted for. The diagram was a key piece of evidence.
Smothers, a man named Ernest Davis, and an unidentified man are the subjects of the murder warrants requested by State police.
Tolbert included his nickname "Speed' on all of his Detroit business cards. Tolbert spent 27 years in the Detroit Police Department, and worked in conspiracy narcotics, a unit focused on high level drug dealers, and "Redrum", that investigated drug related murders.
After losing out to James Craig for the Detroit Police Chief job in 2013, Flint Emergency Manager Darnell Earley appointed Tolbert as Police Chief. Mayor Karen Weaver replaced Tolbert with Timothy Johnson as Chief. |
|
|
|
Mon Jun 20, 2016 11:00 am |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
Detroit News reporter Hunter gave a lengthy summary of some suspicious investigations involving Tolbert. The quadruple murders occurred on Runyon on September 17, 2007. Tolbert was a commander in several police units when 3 months later he responded to a "John Doe" in a torched Cadillac Escalade in Detroit's northwest side.
The Detroit News said the badly burned body was later identified as Dacyre Alexander, Smother's best friend. The Kentucky car plates were traced to a James Davis, cousin of Smothers' alleged partner Ernest Davis.
"After Smothers was arrested in April 2008, Violent Crimes Task Force investigator Ira Todd was the first detective to question him. Todd claims Tolbert walked into the interview room and shut down the interrogation."
The News cited Todd remarks from 2008 "I've never had that happen ; you never want to stop someone when they're in the middle of a confession because they might change their mind (about talking) Todd had filed a lawsuit, which is still pending, alleging punishment for his refusal to quash the Smothers case.
Todd also claimed Tolbert was demanding to know what Smothers had confessed to and said Tolbert seemed to be afraid.
Tolbert allegedly then issued specific question that the hit man Smothers could be asked and demanded no deviations. |
|
|
|
Mon Jun 20, 2016 11:19 am |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
According to the Detroit news story, a second Violent Crimes task Force Officer Alejandro Parro also accused Tolbert of interference in the Smothers case in his September 3,2009 interview. Part of the investigation was said to determine if the James Davis tan escalade was connected to the April 30, 2003 unsolved murder of Tamara "Strawberry" Greene. Greene was the exotic dancer who allegedly danced at the much rumored party at the Manoogian Mansion for then Mayor.Kwame Kilpatrick.
The Detroit News told of another 2009 lawsuit filed by Detroit police officer Odell Godbold Sr. that also alleged Tolbert thwarted the investigation into who killed Greene. The case was settled last with a nondisclosure of the Terms of Settlement.
Golbold stated he was demoted and Tolbert, then a Lt., was promoted to the rank of commander. Gobold decided to retire in 2006.
Todd, like Gobold, made claims he was demoted after he was led to Lexington, Kentucky after his investigation revealed Smothers and Ernest Davis visited James Davis.
"(Lexington Police) told me," said Todd, "be careful; he brags about being close friends with your mayor and that Kilpatrick basically gave him the keys to the city"
More testimony said Todd was forced by Tolbert and Deputy Chief Marshall Lyons all of the reports he wad written where James Davis claimed ties to Kilpatrick. Todd claimed he was then forced to take a vacation and drop the Smothers investigation, |
|
|
|
Mon Jun 20, 2016 11:44 am |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
The Detroit News story described the deposition of Parra where he was warned by Rochon to drop the Smothers investigation. "Parra also claimed Tolbert sent out a memo ordering any detective who wanted to interrogate Smothers to check with him first." Parra stated he had never seen a commander really interfere with a homicide investigation.
According to the News, after Todd's forced vacation he was removed from the Violent Crimes Task Force in retaliation for his refusal to remove Kilpatrick's name from his report.
The News noted how James Davis was indicted in 2010 for his involvement in a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme. In 2011 he took a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and received a one year sentence. |
|
|
|
Mon Jun 20, 2016 11:52 am |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
George Hunter of the Detroit News deserves an award for the artful way he has woven the stories of the Manoogian Mansion, the murders, and the wrongful imprisonment of a 14 year old into one coherent story.
The first story was actually printed in the News on June 8, 2016 (A1, Absolved n killings, man to walk free).
"Law firm Dykema Gossett worked pro bono along with the Michigan Innocence Clinic, the Northwestern Center for Wrongful Convictions of Youth and the Michigan State Appellate Defender Office o gain Sanford's release.
Smothers had repeatedly stressed Sanford had nothing to do with the killings, which were the result of a fight between drug dealers, and Smothers confession. But until Tuesday, prosecutors had steadfastly insisted they'd convicted the right person for the killings on Runyon on Detroit's east side, and they rejected any notion Sanford was innocent." |
|
|
|
Thu Jun 23, 2016 1:43 pm |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
Smothers, a hit man, confessed that he and Ernest Davis with an unnamed third man killed the four victims on Runyon. Smothers is serving 50 to 100 years in prison for committing eight other murders-for-hire. Davis was convicted for a December 2012 shooting of a security guard and received a sentence of up to a mandatory 15 years.
"I cannot emphasize strongly enough that Davontae Sanford was not involved in the Sept. 17 murders on Runyon Street in any way." Smothers wrote in an affidavit filed in Wayne County Circuit Court last year. Smothers added he'd never met or heard of Sanford before police told him the teen had been convicted of the killings."
Sanford had been sentenced to 37 to 99 years in prison. Wayne Circuit judge Brian Sullivan vacated the sentence and Wayne County Prosecutor dismissed all charges after the Michigan State Police released an 11 month investigation finding Smothers and Davis-not Sanford- committed the murders. Among their recommendations were the implementation of perjury charges against Tolbert, then a high ranking Detroit police officer.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Thu Jun 23, 2016 2:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
Thu Jun 23, 2016 2:00 pm |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
A review of the case reveals how Sanford was questioned for hours shortly after the shootings without a parent or a lawyer present and without the interview being videotaped. Sanford confessed originally with all kinds of inaccurate information such as the type of gun used and the number of shooters.
According to the News, the second interview consisted of a sergeant feeding him details on the crime and he mumbles yeah or no.
The News report sharply criticizes Sanford's original defense attorney Robert Slameka. Slameka, who has been censored by the state Attorney Grievance Board 17 times for improperly representing his clients, failed to challenge the confession, whch "had all the hallmarks of a false confession" said attorney Valerie Newman. |
|
|
|
Thu Jun 23, 2016 2:32 pm |
|
|
untanglingwebs
El Supremo
|
| Prosecutor Worthy criticized former Detroit Deputy Chef Tolbert, late Flint's Police Chief, after Tolbert contradicted himself in a recorded interview with the state police during their investigation. Tolbert admitted Sanford did not draw the entire diagram of the murders, which the entire case against Sanford was based upon. |
|
|
|
Thu Jun 23, 2016 2:40 pm |
|
|
|
Forum Rules:
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Register
Profile
FlintTalk.com Forum Index
> Political Talk
