With a special prosecutor and a special judge, the trial for a former Greensburg Police officer got underway in Decatur County Circuit Court Monday.
Judge Carl Taul of Ripley County Circuit Court presided over the local proceedings as Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel and defense attorney Bill Dillon interviewed prospective jurors for most of the morning. They settled on a group of seven, six women and one man. In the afternoon, the state began calling its first witnesses to prove that former GPD officer David Scudder, 38, committed theft and official misconduct, both Class D felonies, after allegedly seizing money from a promoter who allegedly hoodwinked customers at Wal-Mart into buying autographs from a man posing as professional wrestler “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
The first day of testimony revisited the day of June 21, 2008 when Greensburg Police officers answered a call from Wal-Mart management. Upon arrival, according to his testimony, Det. Mike Cruze said he and Scudder encountered an autograph session for Austin. However, the man signing merchandise and posing for pictures was an impostor and those who came to see him were rooked into paying for what they thought was the real deal. According to court documents, during the investigation at the scene, Scudder seized $154 from Ronald Owens, the promoter of the event. The money came from Owens’ pocket because the phony Austin, later identified as Michael Rice, absconded with the money before police arrived, Cruze said.
Cruze testified he believed Scudder had returned the money to fans who had been duped. However, he said when he read Scudder’s report and contacted several victims, he realized this was not the case.
“It wasn’t until after I contacted the victims that I had concerns,” Cruze said.
The detective said none of the victims had received money back from Scudder and the cash was never entered into evidence.
The state presented the assistant manager who first contacted police. Chris Williams said he spoke with the promoter and discovered it was a fraud, which is why he called police. He noted he never actually saw the transaction between Scudder and Owens take place but he did provide the former officer with a receipt book.
Three fans also testified about how much money they lost at the time. While two of the three reported they were reimbursed by Wal-Mart, they all testified Scudder never gave them any cash and their contact with him at the scene was limited or nil.
The trial is expected to last through Wednesday. This morning the court will hear more testimony from Greensburg Police officers as well as Wal-Mart security.
Both Hertel and Dillon denied comment until the trial was over.
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Theft Trial For Former Greensburg Cop Begins
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