JUDGE ROBERT MACK CRAWFORD INDICTED

CALLED INTO SESSION WEDNESDAY, THE PIKE COUNTY GRAND JURY RETURNED TRUE BILLS OF INDICTMENT ON TWO COUNTS ON SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ROBERT MACK CRAWFORD, VIOLATION OF OATH OF OFFICE AND THEFT BY TAKING.

THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE PRESENTED EVIDENCE TO THE GRAND JURY, GRIFFIN CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER HAD REMOVED HIS OFFICE FROM THE CASE.

JUDGE CRAWFORD'S ATTORNEY VIRGIL BROWN TOLD ZOOM NEWS AT THE PIKE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, JUDGE CRAWFORD WILL TURN HIMSELF IN AT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THURSDAY FOR PROCESSING AND WILL BE RELEASED ON HIS OWN RECOGNIZANCE WITH ZERO BOND.

THE CASE INVOLVES $15,600 ATTORNEY BROWN SAYS JUDGE CRAWFORD EARNED IN LEGAL FEES WHILE HE WAS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY, MONEY IN THE COURT REGISTRY THE JUDGE ORDERED THE CLERK OF COURT TO PLACE IN HIS ACCOUNT, AFTER SITTING IN THE REGISTRY FOR YEARS.

ASSISTANT A.G. DAVID MCCLOCKLIN, WHO PRESENTED THE EVIDENCE TO THE GRAND JURY HAD NO COMMENT ON THE CASE WHEN ASKED BY ZOOM NEWS. ATTORNEY BROWN TOLD US HE WOULD RELEASE A STATEMENT LATER.

HENRY COUNTY SENIOR SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ALEX CRUMBLEY PRESIDED.