HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) – A longtime Alabama sheriff removed from office after being convicted of theft and ethics violations is giving five-star reviews to the jail where he spent more than two weeks in custody. But perhaps he should: He ran it for decades. Ousted Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely addressed the news media on Tuesday in his most extensive…
ATHENS, Ala. (AP) – A longtime Alabama sheriff convicted of felony charges and removed from office should have to remain in jail until he is sentenced, prosecutors told a judge Tuesday. Former Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely hasn’t shown any reason he should be treated differently than other convicted felons in his home county, where the standard practice is for…
ATHENS, Ala. (AP) – A longtime Alabama sheriff on trial on theft and ethics charges has taken the stand to deny charges that could result in his removal from office after nearly four decades. Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely testified Thursday about a series of transactions and checks. Prosecutors say they’re evidence of wrongdoing but the defense contends they show…
ATHENS, Ala. (AP) — A judge on Tuesday reversed course and will allow reporters to witness jury selection in the corruption trial of a longtime north Alabama sheriff. Retired Criminal Appeals Judge Pamela Baschab, who is presiding over the case against Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely, granted the request from media organizations. They included the Alabama Press Association and the…
ATHENS, Ala. (AP) — A longtime Alabama sheriff accused of theft and ethics charges is set to stand trial nearly two years after he was indicted. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday for Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely. He has continued to serve despite facing a dozen felony counts alleging he stole campaign donations, got interest-free loans, and solicited…
ATHENS, Ala. (AP) – The trial of a long-serving Alabama sheriff accused of theft and ethics charges is being delayed again. A circuit judge is citing the coronavirus pandemic for his decision to postpone the case against Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely. Blakely was first set to go on trial in March 2020, but the case was delayed until March…
