Supervisors Vote To Continue Paying Sheriff's Legal Bills
Sheriff Baxter Dunn Fighting Civil Rights Allegations
POSTED: 6:13 p.m. PST December 10, 2002
UPDATED: 6:15 p.m. PST December 10, 2002
STOCKTON, Calif. -- When a sheriff faces his own legal battles, should the public fund his defense? That's the question one Central Valley county decided Tuesday.
San Joaquin County Sheriff Baxter Dunn (pictured, right) is under investigation for allegedly violating an arrestee's civil rights. The FBI has been investigating whether Dunn kicked a man who authorities knocked off a building with a high-powered water hose during a standoff.
The victim did not ever file a complaint. Dunn's attorney, Michael Capizzi, says that it is a victimless crime, partially because there was no complaint and there seemed to be no injuries or marks on the man's body.
The county has been paying his legal bill. On Tuesday, some county supervisors tried to cut off those public funds, but by a vote of 3-2, supervisors agreed to keep paying Dunn's attorney fees.
"I'm glad that they ruled as they did today," Dunn said.
San Joaquin County Sheriff Baxter Dunn (pictured, right) is under investigation for allegedly violating an arrestee's civil rights. The FBI has been investigating whether Dunn kicked a man who authorities knocked off a building with a high-powered water hose during a standoff.
The victim did not ever file a complaint. Dunn's attorney, Michael Capizzi, says that it is a victimless crime, partially because there was no complaint and there seemed to be no injuries or marks on the man's body.
The county has been paying his legal bill. On Tuesday, some county supervisors tried to cut off those public funds, but by a vote of 3-2, supervisors agreed to keep paying Dunn's attorney fees.
"I'm glad that they ruled as they did today," Dunn said.
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