Pubdate: Fri, 10 Mar 2006
Source: Bucks County Courier Times (PA)
Copyright: 2006 Calkins Newspapers. Inc.
Contact: http://www.phillyburbs.com/feedback/content-cti.shtml
Website: http://www.phillyburbs.com/couriertimes/index.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1026
Author: Laurie Mason,  Bucks County Courier Times
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

COP TO STAND TRIAL FOR ALLEGED TIP-OFF

A former New Britain police officer will stand trial for allegedly 
tipping off a drug dealer to an undercover investigation.

Jonathan Knight, 35, of Warminster, waived a preliminary hearing 
Wednesday before Judge Kenneth Biehn in Bucks County court in Doylestown.

Biehn was assigned the case after District Judge Ruth C. Dietrich 
dismissed charges against the former officer following a hearing in December.

Knight's attorney, Louis Busico, was vague about why Knight waived the hearing.

"Obviously, I thought it was in his best interest not to have a 
hearing today," Busico said.

The waiver doesn't mean Knight will plead guilty. "He has entered a 
resounding plea of not guilty," Busico said.

Knight was arrested in September and charged with hindering 
apprehension and obstructing the administration of law. If convicted, 
he faces up to three years in prison.

Police say he told marijuana dealer Whitney Watson, 29, of Wycombe 
that he was under police surveillance.

Watson pleaded guilty to narcotics offenses last year and was 
sentenced to three years of probation. He could be called to testify 
at Knight's trial.

Police say Knight and Watson were "buddies" and said Knight knew his 
friend was involved in the drug trade. Prosecutors say he put other 
police officers' lives in danger by revealing their undercover status 
to Watson.

After Dietrich threw out the charges, prosecutors refiled, prompting 
the hearing in county court. Chief Deputy District Attorney Karen 
Diaz said she was ready to call witnesses in the case.

The trial should begin in about two months. Knight remains free on bail.

Knight, an 11-year veteran of the force, was fired when the charges 
came to light. He was accompanied in court Wednesday by about a dozen 
supporters, including several off-duty police officers.

Declining to discuss specifics, Busico said Knight still has friends 
in law enforcement. "I don't believe other police officers would be 
supportive of Officer Knight if they believed, in any way, shape or 
form, that he broke the law or put other police officers in danger," he said.
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