ATHENS, Ala. (AP) — Prosecutors are asking a judge to set a trial date for a longtime Alabama sheriff who has continued to serve despite being indicted on theft and ethics charges.
News outlets report the state is pushing to a date to begin the trial of Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely. The 70-year-old Blakely pleaded not guilty a year ago. The state maintains in court documents that it’s time for him the go on trial. A judge has set a hearing for Nov. 19.
A grand jury indicted Blakely on 12 felony counts and one misdemeanor alleging he stole campaign donations, used his job to obtain interest-free loans and solicited money from employees.