Security investigation continues in Muskogee
BY SUSAN HYLTON World Staff Writer
Saturday, December 22, 2012
12/22/12 at 5:00 AM
MUSKOGEE - An eavesdropping investigation centering around the Muskogee County District Attorney's Office and the courthouse security system is continuing.
The investigation has delayed two trials - one a rape case, the other a child-abuse case - and officials are hoping that it will not further delay cases.
The investigation is "going to take time due to the fact that it's a nonviolent crime," said Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica Brown.
District Attorney Larry Moore asked the OSBI to look into the matter after computers from the Sheriff's Office were transferred to the District Attorney's Office, which potentially allowed access to monitor the security system.
Muskogee County Commissioner Gene Wallace said the Sheriff's Office, which is in charge of security at the courthouse, received a grant for the new courthouse security system and cameras.
The system caused a controversy in October when defense attorneys expressed concern that their conversations with clients might be overheard.
Muskogee County Bar Association President Martha Cherbini said her organization is concerned about how sensitive the microphones are in the courtrooms and the hallways.
She said there are no allegations of anything being overheard in attorney-client conference rooms.
District Judge Mike Norman said he told the OSBI that he knows of no specific instance in which a defendant and an attorney's conversations were overheard.
"Hopefully they will complete their investigation and we can get back to trying cases in January and February," he said.
Original Print Headline: Security probe in Muskogee is continuing
Susan Hylton 918-581-8381
susan.hylton@tulsaworld.com
