Alabama Sheriff Tried To Escape Trial By Creating COVID-19 Scare

Amid the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, even lawyers are resorting to using it as a legal tool. Such was the case of an Alabama sheriff being tried for theft. His lawyers, seeking a delay to his court proceeding, used the COVID-19 card to help slow down the court process.

Testimonial evidence, however, showed that Limestone Country Sheriff Mike Blakely wasn’t undergoing such treatment for the COVID-19. Judge Pride Tompkins called out the defense for making false claims, specifically this false claim, US News reported. The judge added that COVID-19 is a hot topic and, if used in such a way, it could create unnecessary panic.

Tompkins, in the midst of berating Blakely’s lawyers, pointed out how the tactic is condemned by the court. Defense lawyer Robert Tuten claimed that he was only making an honest mistake about reports on the health of the sheriff. Records in court held that Blakely was indeed hospitalized for a problem with his breathing, but a doctor clarified that it was not connected to the dreaded disease.

Tuten went on to say that he wasn’t sure what kind of coronavirus it was. He held on to his defense that he needed to know what was going on at the moment.

While it is clear that the deadly disease has been spreading in all corners of the world, it is appalling that some people like Sheriff Blakely will use it to get out of trouble. Many people have suffered a lot because of the disease, like the story of this young Chinese doctor.

For example, the story of Dr. Peng Yinhua, a doctor who got the disease as he worked on the frontlines to combat the spread of the deadly virus. In his story, he postponed his own wedding to treat patients who are infected with the deadly virus. Sadly, the doctor also received the deadly disease from treating the afflicted. He was not as fortunate as those he treated, dying from the disease while receiving treatment.

Blakely was indicted on multiple felony counts, including one misdemeanor charge. He allegedly stole campaign donations, solicited money from those under his team, and used the powers of his job to get interest-free loans.