Pubdate: Tue, 19 Mar 2002
Source: Courier-Journal, The (KY)
Copyright: 2002 The Courier-Journal
Contact:  http://www.courier-journal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/97
Author: Andrew Wolfson and Chris Kenning

2 INDICTED JEFFERSON DETECTIVES RESIGN

Judge Denies Their Request To Reduce Bond

Jefferson County narcotics detectives Mark Watson and Christie Richardson 
resigned yesterday, four days after each was indicted on more than 450 
counts of burglary, tampering with public records, perjury and theft.

Their resignations end the department's internal administrative review but 
have no effect on the continuing criminal investigation, said Officer 
Robert Biven, a department spokesman. The two can no longer be compelled to 
cooperate, so there was no point in continuing the internal inquiry, he said.

Watson and Richardson, who were partners in Metro Narcotics, tendered their 
resignations, effective immediately, in writing yesterday through their 
attorneys, Biven said.

In an interview, Richardson's attorney, Steve Schroering, said: "My client, 
just based on the allegations that have been made against her by this 
department, decided she no longer wanted to be a police officer. She is not 
conceding any wrongdoing at all. This has been a nightmare for her."

Watson's lawyers couldn't be reached for comment after a bond-reduction 
hearing yesterday.

The former detectives are permitted to withdraw their contributions from 
their retirement accounts, said Gerri Miller, deputy commission of benefit 
services for the Kentucky Retirement Systems.

They have been released on bail after their families posted $150,000 in 
property and $25,000 in cash. A Jefferson Circuit judge refused yesterday 
to lower those bonds, despite arguments by the former detectives' attorneys 
at a hearing that they were excessive.

During the hearing, lawyers said neither officer had a criminal record and 
neither was a risk to jump bail.

Judge Steve Mershon dismissed those arguments, saying the bonds would 
stand, "given the gravity of the charges." Innocent people might be behind 
bars because of the officers' alleged actions, he said.

Watson and Richardson have pleaded innocent to hundreds of charges, 
including fabricating information to obtain search warrants, tampering with 
drug evidence and forging judges' signatures. The cases could result in the 
dismissal of more than a dozen prosecutions and could prompt the release of 
at least two people convicted of felonies.

A pretrial conference was set yesterday for April 29.

Watson joined the county department in 1992 and Richardson in 1994.

During the bond-reduction hearing, Watson and Richardson were stoic as 
attorneys argued their cases.

"My client is 34 years old. She has absolutely no criminal history," 
Schroering said.

Richardson has cooperated with police, including waiting at the Hall of 
Justice to be arrested Friday, Schroering said.

Watson waited in his attorney's office to be arrested, said his attorney, 
Mary Sharp.

"He's a member of this community. He has a wife, four children and a home," 
said Sharp, adding that Watson coaches soccer and is involved in other 
community activities.

Sharp said Watson's wife has had to take a third-shift job at WalMart to 
help support the family.

Watson used four pieces of property, including pieces owned by friends and 
family, to help make bail, Sharp said. The property used for Richardson's 
bond was her husband's home, her attorney said.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Scott Davis said the detectives "put 
lives at risk" when they "busted down doors with guns drawn" to serve 
warrants they are charged with fabricating.
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