Post by CCADP on Aug 23, 2005 6:20:36 GMT -5
Police check lawyer's claim in cop slaying
Attorney for man charged in case says another gunman was responsible
By Chris Joyner
chris.joyner@jackson.gannett.com
Bridges
Police are looking into claims that another person may have been responsible in the fatal shooting of Crystal Springs police officer Timothy Webster.
Crystal Springs Detective Chris Palmer said he is investigating claims made by Ridgeland attorney Glenn Folse that Willie Terrell was responsible for the Aug. 13 death of the rookie officer.
"We wanted to validate the story first," Palmer said.
One of the witnesses, Tameka Williams of Copiah County, was questioned before Folse's client, 19-year-old Christopher Bridges, was captured and said nothing at the time about another suspect, Palmer said.
Palmer would not reveal any details about the investigation or Terrell. So far, Palmer said there is no manhunt for him.
Webster
Bridges is charged with capital murder in the slaying, which occurred minutes after police pulled over a car in which Bridges was driving along with two passengers.
Folse said Williams and Roger Sumrall told him Terrell confessed he was involved in the shooting and needed an alibi. The witnesses said Terrell took a car and some money and fled to Indiana, Folse said.
Folse said Williams and Sumrall told him Terrell "came basically out of the woods" and shot Webster. Witnesses said Terrell was "sweating profusely" when he showed up hours after the slaying and was sprayed with blood, Folse said.
First Sgt. Brian Olehy, spokesman for the Indiana State Police, would not confirm or deny if they're working on the case. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation also would not comment.
Williams and Sumrall could not be reached Monday for comment.
According to police, Webster chased Bridges while two other Crystal Springs officers stayed with Antwon Brown and Steve Bogan in the car. Moments later, police heard a single gunshot and Webster called in saying he had been hit. When the other officers reached Webster, they discovered he had been shot under his left arm, just above his bullet-resistant vest, and his Glock .45-caliber service weapon was gone.
Webster, 32, was pronounced dead at Harry Wilson Memorial Hospital in Hazlehurst. He did not identify his assailant before he died.
"My client maintains total innocence," Folse said. "He claims he did not even see this officer." Last week, Bogan said he didn't know Webster had chased his cousin because he didn't see him.
Palmer testified Friday that Hazlehurst Police Chief Ken Mitchell saw Bridges walking along West Gallman Road with Webster's gun hours after the shooting but that he got away. Bridges eventually was captured after a 48-hour manhunt in which police officers questioned many of Bridges' relatives and neighbors.
Folse said police were focused on catching Bridges, not investigating alternate scenarios.
"They were on a manhunt. They were not out to solve this thing," he said. "You can't blame them."
Bridges is being held without bond in the Copiah County Detention Center and could face the death penalty if convicted. Bridges' mother, Bobbie Bridges, 35; brother, Anthony Bridges, 19; cousin, Matthew Nelson, 32; and his cousin's wife, Doretha Nelson, 30, all are charged with accessories after the fact to murder for allegedly helping Bridges evade capture.
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Attorney for man charged in case says another gunman was responsible
By Chris Joyner
chris.joyner@jackson.gannett.com
Bridges
Police are looking into claims that another person may have been responsible in the fatal shooting of Crystal Springs police officer Timothy Webster.
Crystal Springs Detective Chris Palmer said he is investigating claims made by Ridgeland attorney Glenn Folse that Willie Terrell was responsible for the Aug. 13 death of the rookie officer.
"We wanted to validate the story first," Palmer said.
One of the witnesses, Tameka Williams of Copiah County, was questioned before Folse's client, 19-year-old Christopher Bridges, was captured and said nothing at the time about another suspect, Palmer said.
Palmer would not reveal any details about the investigation or Terrell. So far, Palmer said there is no manhunt for him.
Webster
Bridges is charged with capital murder in the slaying, which occurred minutes after police pulled over a car in which Bridges was driving along with two passengers.
Folse said Williams and Roger Sumrall told him Terrell confessed he was involved in the shooting and needed an alibi. The witnesses said Terrell took a car and some money and fled to Indiana, Folse said.
Folse said Williams and Sumrall told him Terrell "came basically out of the woods" and shot Webster. Witnesses said Terrell was "sweating profusely" when he showed up hours after the slaying and was sprayed with blood, Folse said.
First Sgt. Brian Olehy, spokesman for the Indiana State Police, would not confirm or deny if they're working on the case. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation also would not comment.
Williams and Sumrall could not be reached Monday for comment.
According to police, Webster chased Bridges while two other Crystal Springs officers stayed with Antwon Brown and Steve Bogan in the car. Moments later, police heard a single gunshot and Webster called in saying he had been hit. When the other officers reached Webster, they discovered he had been shot under his left arm, just above his bullet-resistant vest, and his Glock .45-caliber service weapon was gone.
Webster, 32, was pronounced dead at Harry Wilson Memorial Hospital in Hazlehurst. He did not identify his assailant before he died.
"My client maintains total innocence," Folse said. "He claims he did not even see this officer." Last week, Bogan said he didn't know Webster had chased his cousin because he didn't see him.
Palmer testified Friday that Hazlehurst Police Chief Ken Mitchell saw Bridges walking along West Gallman Road with Webster's gun hours after the shooting but that he got away. Bridges eventually was captured after a 48-hour manhunt in which police officers questioned many of Bridges' relatives and neighbors.
Folse said police were focused on catching Bridges, not investigating alternate scenarios.
"They were on a manhunt. They were not out to solve this thing," he said. "You can't blame them."
Bridges is being held without bond in the Copiah County Detention Center and could face the death penalty if convicted. Bridges' mother, Bobbie Bridges, 35; brother, Anthony Bridges, 19; cousin, Matthew Nelson, 32; and his cousin's wife, Doretha Nelson, 30, all are charged with accessories after the fact to murder for allegedly helping Bridges evade capture.
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Copyright ©2005 Clarionledger.com All rights reserved.
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