By Emerson Drake
12/5/10
With the release of the Craig Prescott video where the deputies can be seen dragging a comatose Craig into a safety cell it's understandable that they are becoming even more nervous the closer it gets to giving their sworn depositions.
As their previous stories begin to unravel in clear view of the public, several are questioning if the charade will hold up to close scrutiny.It becomes more obvious than ever that what is claimed in the D.A.'s report isn't happening in the video.It's little wonder the Sheriff didn't want the Medical Examiner to see the video.
Just what are the penalties for lying under oath during a deposition? Could personal liability attach?The word has come down from on high in the Sheriff's Office that all eight should stand their ground and not change a word.
But in the light of recently revealed information, information that wasn't supposed to reach the public, will they(the Deputies) be able to stand pat on their testimony?it's important to remember if the Sheriff's Attorneys hadn't made the mistake of releasing the discovery before a protection order had been stipulated to, none of the information revealed so far would have ever come to light outside a court room.
Sheriff Adam Christianson went to his public relations department also know as the Modesto Bee to try and spin the reality of the situation. He went so far as to enlist a willing dupe at the Bee, Mark Vasche`, in his cover-up concerning the order of protection.
Mark Vasche believed in Adam just like he did when the Sheriff tried to claim he lobbied the County Board of Supervisors by claiming he said to them he wanted to "take it to the mat" regarding a recent lawsuit.
That lawsuit cost the County $545,000 dollars. Supervisor Jim DeMartini divulged on the Morning mayor's Show that Christianson hadn't said a word to him or any of the other Supervisors, let alone try to lobby them.
Mark Vasche` believed Adam at that time, well, he did until the Sheriff admitted he hadn't been completely truthful.
Actually Sheriff Adam Christianson hadn't talked to any of the Supervisors.It looks like a case of de ja vu.
Can you blame the Deputies for being nervous?
We can't.
