-
Sep 28, 2007 6:56 pm US/Central
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
E-Mail Implies Special Treatment By Southlake PD
by Chris Salcedo
SOUTHLAKE (CBS 11 News) ―
Last week, the Southlake Journal and CBS 11 News first uncovered accusations of preferential treatment for a group of influential teens.
This centers around a case involving five teenagers who were arrested at the future site of Saint John's Baptist Church in Southlake. The teens would have had to scale a security fence to gain access. They were arrested and charged with criminal trespassing and evading arrest. However, the final charge for these teens was
attempted criminal trespassing, leaving some to think that they received special treatment because the father of one teen is the president and CEO of 7-Eleven, Inc.
Several officers with the Southlake Police Department asked the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office to look into the alleged preferential treatment.
However, Chief Wade Goolsby said that investigator Sgt. Jim Polley was asked to downgrade the charge to 'Class C' at the request of the District Attorney's Office.
An e-mail obtained from the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office on Friday shows that it was, in fact, Sgt. Polley who asked for the case back. "Can you please stop these cases from going forward? We are attempting to handle these in house," the e-mail stated.
The original, more serious charge was sent to the District Attorney's Office and accepted.
CBS 11 News contacted the Southlake Police Department on Friday to discuss the e-mail with Sgt. Polley. He declined requests for an interview.
A grand jury is now investigating how police in Southlake have handled some criminal cases, and has three months to determine if criminal indictments should be handed down.

Here's What's Hot Today On CBS11TV.COM:
Neighbor Charged With Murder Of Hanna Mack
Champion Drag Racer John Force Talks About Crash
SLIDESHOW: In To Be Out Gay Celebrities
VIDEO: Ashley Force Talks About Her Dad's Drag Race Crash
Custody Of Burned Girls Awarded To Grandmother
6 Die From Brain-Eating Amoeba In Warm Lake Waters
SLIDESHOW: 46 Weird Photos
VIDEO: Big Traffic Woes For South Arlington
Boys Mission: Cross Out Cancer
VIDEO: Fort Worth Man Dies In Motorcycle Accident
Couples Claim Photographer Botched Wedding Photos
VIDEO: Tollway Extension In Frisco To Open For P.M. Drive
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)