Wed 14 Jan 2009
Thomas: Won’t Prosecute Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman
Posted by Press Release under City Government , Crime and Punishment , Ethics[3] Comments
Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas has just revealed that there will be no prosecution of Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman on domestic violence charges.
According to the County Attorney’s Office, witness statements are inconsistent regarding the charges against Berman. In addition, statute of limitation issues prevent prosecution.
Sonoran Alliance will provide the official press release once they are available. A press conference is scheduled today at 4 PM.
Update: Here is the text of the press release issued by Maricopa County Attorney’s Office:
No criminal charges will be filed against Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman due to legal and evidentiary deficiencies. A domestic violence investigation involving Mr. Berman and his current wife was routed to the County Attorney’s Office. The County Attorney’s Office then investigated further and learned of past allegations of domestic violence against Mr. Berman that happened between 1984 and 1994. While the investigation was underway the current Mrs. Berman recanted her statements and she and her husband have since reconciled. Our investigators also learned that past claims of domestic violence from step children and two ex-wives were previously reported to law enforcement. As a result, the statute of limitations prevents prosecutors from filing charges in connection with the alleged past incidents.
January 14th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
The best part is that the East Valley Tribue conducted a witch hunt of Berman when these charges intially transpired. Go figure, the paper got it wrong… Does not surprise me in the least. I guess they will slander anyone’s name just to sell a couple papers.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
So let me get this right. Stapley gets nailed for paperwork and this guy gets a pass given the info above ?
January 14th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
This may be a technical term, but it’s popular with both liberals and conservatives: Due Process. It means if you are getting chased by prosecutors they have to follow the law, and it do it before the deadline. The accusations against Berman have been withdrawn. So even if he’s guilty, the jury will hear no witnesses against him and would never convict.
Stapley’s case is open and the next event is the trial, or plea bargain, what ever. Stapley’s problem is a lot more than a “paperwork” problem. Perjury and fraud are involved, at least in the charges.