By Shawn McGrath
EDGEWOOD — In an often contentious meeting Monday, Town Council members tabled accepting Town Marshal Martin “Skip” Stanley’s resignation until a formal hearing is held.
The six-person council’s decision to postpone action was nearly unanimous. Jodi Norrick was the lone vote against tabling accepting Stanley’s resignation.
“If Officer Stanley felt he didn’t do anything wrong, why would he offer his resignation?” Norrick asked.
She said she spoke to Indiana State Police investigators on Monday. They told her a probable cause affidavit had been forwarded to the Madison County prosecutor’s office for the filing of possible obstruction of justice and official misconduct charges. Both charges are Class D felonies, Norrick said. Class D felonies are punishable by six months to three years behind bars.
Prosecutor Thomas Broderick Jr. couldn’t be reached for comment late Monday.
The council initially approved accepting the resignation, but rescinded its vote after audience members complained they weren’t give a chance to comment. About 15 people attended the meeting, and several spoke in Stanley’s defense.
“You’re going to see that Marshal Stanley will be exonerated,” Edgewood resident Randall Woodruff said. “I have no doubt.”
Stanley turned in the letter of resignation Saturday, May 24, asking that it be effective June 1. He requested to be reassigned within the department, however. He is currently on “informal administrative leave,” council member Arthur Leak said, and drawing his normal salary. He will remain on leave until the matter is resolved.
Town attorney Mike Austin said the board will likely hold Stanley’s public hearing within 30 days. Patricia Farran, council president, said the hearing will be under oath and will give Stanley a chance to present evidence and witnesses.
As well, the council will hold a similar hearing within 30 days for Deputy Marshal Clarke Zeigler. As with Stanley’s hearing, it will give the council a chance to gather information before making a decision. Before turning in his resignation, Stanley had asked the board to fire Zeigler.
The council unanimously approved paying Zeigler the week’s salary he lost after Stanley suspended him for five days in connection with the traffic stop of Charles Roberts in February. Zeigler earns about $27,000 annually.
Zeigler declined comment following the meeting. Stanley did not attend and could not be reached for comment.
Zeigler took Roberts to jail on suspicion of drunken driving. While at the jail, Zeigler called Stanley at home from a recorded jail telephone line to “get leniency” for Roberts, council member John W. Gunter previously said. A copy of the recording has not been made public.
According to Zeigler’s report of the incident, which was shown to The Herald Bulletin by Gunter and Farran, Roberts was stopped on suspicion of drunken driving. Roberts’ blood-alcohol content was 0.06 percent, below the 0.08 percent legal limit to drive. Zeigler took Roberts home and gave him a warning ticket.
But, according to documents from Indiana University toxicology officials, a certified test showed Roberts’ BAC was 0.107 percent, high enough for arrest.
Gunter previously said Stanley didn’t specifically tell Zeigler to fudge the test results and let Roberts go.
Not long after the incident, Stanley suspended Zeigler for five days because he changed the test results. He sought the council’s permission to fire Zeigler, and asked the Indiana State Police to investigate Zeigler’s handling of the incident, alleging obstruction of justice. Zeigler has since returned from the suspension.
What’s next?
The Edgewood Town Council will hold separate public hearings to gather information related to Martin “Skip” Stanley’s letter of resignation and employment issues surrounding Deputy Marshal Clarke Zeigler. The hearings will likely be held within the next 30 days, according to town attorney Mike Austin.
