
Video Poker 247
- Attorney Queries Pleas in Video Poker Case
Former Sheriff Bobby Medford’s attorney says that he plans on
questioning the credibility of several key witnesses in the biggest
video poker scandal to hit the state of North Carolina. Attorney
Stephen Lindsay has requested transcripts of the guilty plea hearings
for former Lt. Ronnie Eugene “Butch” Davis, Jack W. “Jackie” Shepherd,
and Lt. John “Johnny” Harrison.
Medford is scheduled for trial March 25th in Federal Court on charges
that he took bribes and protection money from video poker operators in
return for giving up information that would allow them to stay ahead
of police and continue on their illegal video poker enterprises. Capt.
Kenneth Penland is also scheduled for court for the same offense.
Since the video poker case exploded, more than two dozen people have
pled guilty to the charges that were levied against them, with the
stipulation that they would testify against Medford. Some of the
testimonies are more damaging than others, but all will hurt Medford’s
case.
Some of the men involved in the video poker scandal, like Harrison and
Shepherd, got reduced sentences for reaching agreements with the
prosecutors. Harrison had been looking at a life sentence and is not
looking at 20 years max. They say that this could be reduced depending
on how helpful he continues to be.
Shepherd had one charge dropped against him, and all of the charges
against his son and stepson. He is looking at a maximum sentence of
five years at this point.
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March 2008 Archive