Pubdate: Sat, 26 Jul 2003
Source: Spokesman-Review (WA)
Copyright: 2003 The Spokesman-Review
Contact:  http://www.spokesmanreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/417
Author: Thomas Clouse, Staff writer

CHIEF'S REQUEST FOR LENIENCY QUESTIONED

Bragdon Wrote to Judge Regarding Sentencing

Spokane Police Chief Roger Bragdon stood before a room packed with
families Friday and explained the challenges 10 new police recruits
are about to face.

"We are a family that helps one another," Bragdon said during the
swearing-in ceremony. "That's part of being a law enforcement officer.
That's part of this department."

But it's a letter Bragdon wrote this week to a judge requesting
leniency for a former sheriff's deputy-turned-drug dealer that sparked
a controversy about how far that help should be extended.

James L. Crabtree, 42, is to be sentenced Wednesday for four counts of
delivery of cocaine, two counts of possession of cocaine and vehicular
assault.

Crabtree worked from 1982 to 1987 as Spokane County sheriff's deputy.
He is the son of Chuck Crabtree, a longtime police captain who once
supervised Bragdon.

James Crabtree entered an Alford plea in June to the charges, which
stem from a December 2001 automobile accident and his arrest last
April for selling crack cocaine. In the Alford plea, Crabtree
acknowledged that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him at
trial.

The April arrest occurred just days before he was scheduled to stand
trial for crashing head-on into the patrol car of Spokane County
sheriff's Sgt. Earl Howerton.

Officers found a cocaine pipe and a bag of cocaine in his car, which
investigators said was traveling about 75 mph.

That Dec. 16, 2001, collision on Bigelow Gulch Road caused extensive
leg injuries to both men, who worked together for a time in the early
1980s.

It ended Howerton's career chasing criminals. Howerton, whose father,
Lynn Howerton, also worked decades for the police department, now
trains other deputies in self-defense.

Prosecutors have asked Superior Court Judge Greg Sypolt to sentence
James Crabtree to five years in prison.

Bragdon, former Spokane County Prosecutor Don Brockett and several
others wrote Sypolt letters asking him to be lenient with Crabtree.

Brockett said earlier this week that Sypolt should give Crabtree some
credit for his years of service as a deputy.

But in his letter, Brockett asked Sypolt to reduce Crabtree's sentence
because of the retribution he could face from other prison inmates.

In Bragdon's July 21 letter, he wrote about his more than 30 years of
law enforcement experience -- including three years commanding the
department's drug unit.

"I have learned that it is not 'criminals' who are addicted," Bragdon
wrote. "Addiction can capture anyone and destroy their lives and
unfortunately, even the lives of family and friends who love them."

Bragdon wrote that the only addicts who have any chance of turning
themselves around are those with strong family support.

" (Chuck) Crabtree still believes in his son, and for that reason, I
ask you to be lenient," Bragdon wrote to Sypolt. "We both know that
strict enforcement efforts and incarceration have done nothing to
affect the addicted individual."

On Friday, Bragdon wouldn't discuss the letter with The
Spokesman-Review, but did grant an interview to KHQ-TV.

Bragdon defended his decision to write the letter but said he has
apologized to Howerton for not taking his feelings into
consideration.

"I do not turn my back on the request of a police officer," Bragdon
said, referring to the turmoil the case has caused the Crabtree
family. "I'm more than happy to stand up for any family who is going
through this."

Asked if he would do anything differently if he had the chance,
Bragdon replied: "I'd be more careful how I worded the letter."

The Spokane Police Guild issued its own letter Friday in response "to
the controversy regarding the sentencing of James Crabtree."

"It is our desire that judgment be based on the facts, that no
preferential treatment be given, and that punishment be fair and equal
to similar cases," Guild president Cpl. Cliff Walker wrote.

In a telephone interview, Walker said the department's officers
responded with confusion when they learned of Bragdon's letter earlier
this week.

Bragdon met with officers Friday and explained why he wrote the letter
- -- to support his friend Chuck Crabtree. His explanation was accepted
by most officers, Walker said.

"It's mostly straightened out now," Walker said. Bragdon "does not
want special breaks for Jim (Crabtree) because of his prior law
enforcement experience. There is no doubt in my mind."

The Spokane County Prosecutor's Office has refused to provide copies
of the letters supporting Crabtree.

On Friday, James Emacio, the county's chief deputy civil prosecutor,
said his office intended to withhold them until just after the
Wednesday sentencing.

But someone in the police department faxed Bragdon's letter to The
Spokesman-Review Friday morning.

On Wednesday, police spokesman Dick Cottam said Bragdon's letter was
written only to support Chuck Crabtree and his family "not the guy who
is accused. It has nothing to do with him."

But Bragdon's letter states: "I have been asked to write to you on
behalf of Jim Crabtree..."

Cottam on Friday said he didn't misstate the contents of the letter.

"You nailed the chief. You nailed the department," he told a reporter.
"I'm not going to discuss it."

[sidebar]

THE LETTER

Dear Judge Sypolt: I have been asked to write to you on behalf of Jim
Crabtree and the Crabtree family. Jim will be coming before you soon to
answer for illegal drug charges. I have known Jim's father, Chuck Crabtree,
for thirty years and it would be difficult to find a more honorable and
decent man.

I have been a law enforcement officer for over thirty years, having
served in every area of the Department, including the command of the
Drug Unit for three years. I have seen first hand the incredible
de-humanizing effects of drug and alcohol addiction. I have seen
individuals give up their jobs, sell their possessions, steal, and
even murder, for a few grams of white powder for their next high. I
have learned it is not "criminals" who are addicted. Addiction can
capture anyone and destroy their lives and unfortunately, even the
lives of family and friends who love them.

Chuck Crabtree still believes in his son, and for that reason, I ask
you to be lenient. The only addicted people I ever saw who had any
chance, were those whose families didn't turn their backs. Jim has a
family that is still there. We both know that strict enforcement
efforts and incarceration have done nothing to affect the addicted
individual.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

Roger Bragdon

Chief of Police 
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