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Elwood Board of Works Hears Results of Investigation Surrounding Tragedy in Elwood
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ELWOOD, IN - At a special Board of Works session held Friday, April 11, 2008, Elwood Police Chief Jack Miller presented the results of an investigation he ordered on March 2, 2008. The investigation surrounded how the Elwood Police Department handled the events on the day Robert Lamberson was released and the subsequent murder of Kristina (Thompson) Lamberson.
As a result of the investigation, Lieutenant Sherry Wright was found in violation of:
- a general order issued September 28, 2007 not allowing prisoners to stay past a shift going off duty.
- Elwood Police SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) Section V-A-1 (a) (which went into effect February 2002) - This section states that a defendant arrested and charged with an incident of domestic violence shall not be released without executing a no contact order in favor of the victim.
This SOP regarding domestic violence has been copied by others inside and outside of Madison County because it says police "shall arrest" when there's an accusation of domestic violence.
- Indiana Code 35-40-5-2 - the victim has the right to be informed when a person is accused of committing a crime perpetrated directly against the victim is released from custody
- Indiana Code 35-40-7-3 - a notice must be given by law enforcement agency that has custody of the person at the time of release to a victim before the person is released by the law enforcement agency if possible or as soon as practical after the person escapes or has been released by the law enforcement agency.
Chief Miller recommended to Elwood Mayor Merrill Taylor and the Board of Works that Lieutenant Wright be suspended 14 days without pay and be reduced in rank to Patrolman.
The Board of Works voted to proceed with Chief Miller's recommendations. Wright will be on unpaid suspension from April 13, 2008 to April 28, 2008, and will return to work as a Patrolman.
Mayor Taylor also asked Chief Miller what has been done since the tragedy. While no procedures were changed, because Elwood already has a lot in place for domestic violence situations, the department has reviewed all procedures (local, county and state) regarding domestic violence.
Chief Miller stated that Lt. Jason Brizendine has contacted Elwood Judge Kyle Noone regarding bonding procedures for domestic violence situations in Elwood and no contact orders.
They've also checked with other agencies in Madison County and Indiana to see if anyone in the state has something on the books more than in Elwood, but nothing was found.
According to Chief Miller, the Elwood Police department has had three domestic violence training sessions so far this year, including one in Anderson sponsored by the Madison County Sheriff's Department.
After the special session, Chief Miller and Assistant Chief Phil Caldwell stayed behind to answer questions.
my contact info
kpaul.mallasch@gmail.com
And thanks to Al Jordan (The Computer Dude) for helping out. Happy birthday April!
K. Paul Mallasch - Publisher - kpaul media
thank you kpaul
well it's nice to see some action is taking place even though it will never bring her back! In all reality, the murder of Kristina was in the hands of Robert but it may have been able to be prevented. I hope that these issues are taken more serious next time somone calls the police for a domestic issue! I have been in an abusive relationship where charges were pressed by the state and a no contact order was issued without me even asking! The second he was released from jail i received a phone message letting me know that he was released, and the first thing i did, was leave my house and went somewhere else becuase i was afraid. I was lucky and had she known, she may have went somewhere more safe. May she rest in peace! Please remember not to take these situations lightly. It is a serious issue and knowone should have the right to hurt someone else.
Wow!
Didn't see this coming, but with the recent retirement of her husband, I think I can see this following Sherry for the rest of her career. Anybody think she'll look for a job elsewhere? It's a shame it happened like this, but there are rules that have to be followed, even for those in supervisory positions.
Looks like she is being used for an example!
But if this is what it takes to get law enforcement to wake up to Domestic Violence! And how it may end up if the laws are not followed!
*KRISTINA*
Kristina's death was most definitely in the hands of Robert, but had the proper procedures been followed the ultimate outcome, I believe would have been alot different. It is good to see that things are going to change as far as the police are concerned, but a shame that it took the death of such a wonderful person..my friend KRISTINA!
So what happened?
What happened to the police department? I've noticed that there are a LOT of officers leaving, retiring, getting in trouble, etc. What happened to the reserve officer program? I've heard from a couple of people in town that they have turned down qualified people as reserves because they didn't want to be full time officers and had no interest in going through the academy standards. Just becuase they don't want to be full time officers doesn't mean they won't be fine volunteers! Let's get the reserve program going again and get some good volunteers out there to help clean up this town!
It Could Have Turned Out Differently
I feel that if standard procedure would have been taken, Kristina would be with us today. As for Sherry Wright, I don't understand, someone's lfe has been taken because of her actions. If this was just anybody, what would happen then. I believe Sherry should be fired and have charges brought against her for the death of Kristina.
he did do it
robert did kill her in frount of her 4 year old child and i do belive that sherry should have been fired too. what i dont get is how can someone that 'loved' the other kill her in frount of her child can some one tell me that?
NO PROTECTION
One officer said that a person can sit out in front of your house or follow you as long as they don't talk to you or come on your property, even with a protective order against them and the police can't do anything, HE said it was like the poprazy ( mspelled - camera guys), nothin they could do. So what good are protective orders??????????? I was informed that it wasn't stalking. I'm begining to think lead is better than paper.
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