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GoogleGreene County Circuit Court Judge Erik C. Allen named a special prosecutor on Monday in connection with an investigation involving Greene County Democrat Party Chairman W. Jeffrey Lehman.
A motion was filed in the court Nov. 20 by Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod D. Holtsclaw requesting the appointment in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety on the part of the Prosecutor's Office.
In his request, Holtsclaw asked that "if a special prosecutor is appointed, that he or she be permitted to conduct the investigation into the allegation, make the charging decision and, if the decision is made to file criminal charges, prosecute the criminal case."
Although Allen has named the special prosecutor, Barry Brown of Monroe County, the appointment is contingent upon Brown accepting the appointment and filing his acceptance with the court.
The investigation is in connection with a police report by the Greene County Sheriff's Department involving a complaint made against Lehman on Nov. 16 alleging a battery resulting in bodily injury, strangulation and interference with the reporting of a crime.
The call log at the sheriff's department includes a 911 call made at 11:53 p.m. from the Greene County Shrine Club in rural Stockton Township. A female caller said she was choked by Lehman. The 911 operator was unable to understand her so they called her back.
According to the call record, the woman stated during the return call that she was being choked at the time of the 911 call and that's why they couldn't understand her.
Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy Inman and Reserve Deputy Bradley Richard were dispatched to the Shrine Club and were later assisted by Linton Police Department Officer Jayson Smith. A report on the incident was taken and the log notes they finished at 2:01 a.m.
Lehman told the Greene County Daily World that he didn't want to comment about the ongoing investigation when contacted Wednesday morning.
Lehman did say he did not feel the investigation would impede his ability to serve as Greene County Democrat Party Chairman and that he has no plans to step aside from his post during the investigation.
Greene County Daily World Assistant Editor Nick Schneider contributed to this report.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
Regarding the appointment of an outside prosecutor, I believe Judge Allen made a wise decision. With such a high-profile individual as the current County Chairman, there cannot be any hint of either special treatment nor undue bias in weighing the merits of the allegations against Mr. Lehman.
Whatever the course that this may take, it cannot be said by anyone that this was in any way "political" in nature.
I imagine that Mr. Lehman would not want it handled any other way. I believe he should be allowed to have this allegation decided only on the facts and not what position he happens to occupy.
Interesting how Mr Lehman did not go to jail, is'nt it?? Would I have been arrested?? This is just an example of "who you are" in this town. I dont think he should have been treated any different than any other person, arrest him, proceed with the investigation and charges and let the courts take care of it!! As for the special prosecutor appointment, I think it was a good idiea to protect all involved. We will see how it proceeds from here. Good luck to the innocent one(s).
I think its unfair to state it depends on "who you are" in this town. Didn't you notice the Sherrif Dept. responded and is investigating this?
Being that the incident occurred at the "Shrine Club" who else would have investigated it ?
Why didn't the girl press charges??
If someone was choking me, but your #@$ he would be in jail!!!
his position has everything to do to with it. When holding a position like this one probably should give up things such as domestic battery.
I'm curious as to why this was the first time anything was put in the paper about this altercation. Shame on you Greene County Daily World!!!!
How is Mr. Lehman any different from the Moore brothers? The Moore brothers get numerous article written about them on anything that they do but Mr. Lehman chokes someone and not a word is mentioned? Isn't choking a person the same as attempted murder?
Why wasn't he arrested? He should be in jail. If it was any regular guy off the street, his butt would be in jail but since Mr. Lehman has political connections and is employed by the city of Linton, he gets a pass? How is this fair?
The "Good Old Boys" need to catch up with the real world and realize that they can't cover up indiscretions and think that no one is ever going to find out about them.
does anybody know the whole story. I doubt it so you should not judge the sheriff's department.
I know the investigating Deputy in this case personally. I have known him for years. For those of you who want to make assumptions in this case, you should first know that just because Mr. Lehman didn't go to jail that night, doesn't mean that he wasn't charged with the crimes. There are other ways to file charges, for example, gather statements of all parties involved, gather any and all evidence in the case, and turn all of it over to the prosecutor's office for review. Then, if the Prosecuting attourney feels that there is suffiecient evidence for the case, they will have a warrant of arrest issued. I believe that if Deputy Inman had enough information and evidence, Mr. Lehman WOULD have went to jail that night.