Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Inmate To Face Coercion Of Witness Charges

   An inmate of the Lawrence County Jail who was free from custody on a temporary furlow late last week, will likely face charges of coercing a witness slated to testify against him.

   Lawrenceburg Police Officers were notified of the coercion incident around 6:30 Friday evening. The twenty-nine-year-old victim reported that she had been contacted by one of the men against whom she is scheduled to testify as a state witness in connection with an aggravated robbery/aggravated burglary/aggravated assault case.

   The victim told officers that the man had telephoned her, stating that she had, “better not testify against him because he would go to jail for life.” In addition, the man reportedly instructed the witness not to reveal that he was armed with a gun during the crime, due to the fact that, as a convicted felon, he is prohibited from being in possession of a firearm.

   According to reports, “(The witness) is afraid he will hurt her if she testifies.” Reports indicate, however, that she had already testified during the suspects’ preliminary hearing.

   Reports indicate that the telephone call, which was placed from a Lawrenceburg number, was made while the suspect was free from the Lawrence County Jail on a twenty-four-hour furlow.

   Officials indicate that charges of coercion of a witness will likely be added against the suspect, William E. “Billy” Richardson, age 51.

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