Medford endgame?

As the clock ticks down to the Oct. 6 sentencing of former Buncombe County Sheriff Bobby Lee Medford we ought to keep our ears out for the sound of falling shoes. The three month delay in the final hearing strongly suggests that a deal has been discussed. Facing a maximum of 170 years in prison, the only way Medford can reasonably hope to emerge from prison in a vertical position is to cooperate with federal prosecutors now.

I predict that if he has offered substantive testimony about criminal wrongdoing by others in WNC we will see indictments in the next two weeks—UNLESS the targets of those indictments are either elected officials currently facing election or closely connected to such officials.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Edwards, lead prosecutor in the Medford case, told me during the trial that while his department does not play politics concerning indictments, they are somewhat inclined to wait until after an election to proceed in order to avoid being accused of playing politics. If the Medford sentencing hearing is delayed another month, I confidently predict that he is about to burn someone whose indictment could affect the upcoming election. Contested offices with local ties include Court of Appeals judgeships and various county commission races.

~ by bothwellsblog on September 20, 2008.