THURSDAY MORNING AT THE PIKE COUNTY COURTHOUSE SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ROBERT "MACK" CRAWFORD ENTERED A GUILTY PLEA TO ONE COUNT OF MISDEMEANOR THEFT BY TAKING. A COLUMBUS JUDGE SENTENCED HIM TO 12 MONTHS PROBATION ON AN ALFORD PLEA AND GRANTED HIM FIRST OFFENDER STATUS.
AS PART OF THE SENTENCE HE WILL SUBMIT HIS RESIGNATION TO THE GOVERNOR AND RETIRE FROM THE BENCH.
CRAWFORD WAS ORIGINALLY CHARGED WITH FELONY THEFT BY TAKING AND TWO COUNTS OF VIOLATING HIS OATH OF OFFICE , CHARGES THAT WERE DISMISSED.
AFTER THE HEARING JUDGE CRAWFORD TOLD 101 NEWS THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WAS PLANNING TO TAKE HIM TO TRIAL ON MONDAY ON THE FELONY CHARGES AND HE FEARED IT COULD IMPACT HIS RETIREMENT. AS PART OF THE PLEA JUDGE CRAWFORD CAN RETURN IN 6 MONTHS AND PETITION THE COURT TO DISMISS HIS PROBATION.
JUDGE CRAWFORD'S RETIREMENT CREATES A VACANCY IN THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FOR A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE. QUALIFYING BEGINS MARCH 2ND FOR THE MAY 19TH ELECTION.
JUDGE CRAWFORD ENTERED THE THEFT BY TAKING PLEA OVER $15,000 TAKEN FROM THE PIKE COUNTY COURT REGISTRY--FUNDS HE CLAIMED HE WAS OWED FOR LEGAL FEES IN A PROPERTY TRANSACTION IN 2002 WHEN HE WAS A PRACTING ATTORNEY.
JUDGE CRAWFORD MAINTAINS HIS INNOCENCE.
(NB MACK 1MIN)
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