Chris0nllyn
Well-Known Member
Facts of the June 2013 case are undisputed: Walker shot and killed Joseph Dale Harvey Jr. along Route 3 near Millersville after the two pulled their vehicles over following an angry exchange.
In New Jersey, the law enforcement community has rallied around Walker, with bowling and golf tournaments to raise defense funds, car pools to shuttle supporters to the Annapolis courtroom and T-shirts with the slogan, "In this family, no one fights alone."
Walker, his wife and children had attended a barbecue at his sister's home in Odenton on June 8, 2013, and were heading home to New Jersey.
Harvey had been eating crabs and drinking beer with friends, and was driving to a Pasadena bar for a bachelor party.
About 8:30 p.m., the two wound up swerving and yelling at each other after their cars nearly collided on the highway. Both got out of their vehicles on the side of the road. Walker shot Harvey three times, killing him. Toxicology samples later indicated Harvey's blood-alcohol level was 0.07 to 0.08 percent. In Maryland, 0.08 percent is the threshold for driving under the influence.
Detective William Caicedo, president of the New Jersey Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 232 — the union that represents Walker — said Walker has been unfairly portrayed as an aggressive officer when he was just trying to protect his family.
The union, along with the National Police Defense Foundation, has helped fund Walker's defense and pay his bills. Walker was suspended from his job without pay after the was criminally charged with first-degree murder and weapons charges.
The defense hasn't come cheap. The national foundation connected Walker with New York City defense attorney Michael T. Cornacchia, whose roster of past clients includes one of the Duke University lacrosse players exonerated in a high-profile sexual assault case in 2006. Walker's team also includes attorneys from a Baltimore firm.
Members of the police community in New York and New Jersey are concerned about Walker's fate but say there's more at stake. Some fear that if Walker is convicted, it could cause off-duty officers to think twice before acting in dangerous situations when they are not on their home turf.
"This is a case that will have a chilling effect on law enforcement," said Joseph Occhipinti, the National Police Defense Foundation's founder and director.
Police officers make split-second decisions to intervene in a situation, whether they are on duty or not, he said. If they are criminally charged for acting in good faith or in self-defense — as Walker's supporters say is the case —- they might reconsider getting involved.
"You are adding this factor of self-doubt," Caicedo said. "Can I, should I intervene?"
http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#section/822/article/p2p-80854818/