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Ex-police chief admits molesting teen |
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Wednesday, 18 November 2009 |
After years of denying allegations, former Shannon Hills Police Chief John Hamby Brown has pleaded guilty to molesting a 15-year-old girl.
Brown, 52, a resident of Randall L. Wiliams Correctional Facility, signed a plea agreement before county Circuit Judge Grisham Phillips and officials from the Saline County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The statement reads, “I, John H. Brown, between the dates of July 1-15, 2003, intentionally touched, for my own sexual gratification, the vagina of (Victim’s Name), who was 15 years old at the time, and to whom I occupied a supervisory role.”
With the plea agreement, Brown will have his previous sentence of 25 years, handed down on Sept. 2, 2004, reduced to 15 years in the ADC. On Dec. 11, 2010, Brown could be eligible for parole, according to the ADC Web site, www.adc.arkansas.gov.
On Sept. 2, 2004, Brown was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old relative, a crime punishable by six to 30 years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine.
After his trial, Brown said, while being escorted from the Saline County Courthouse, that he never thought he would see someone found guilty for something that never happened.
“I appreciate those on the prayer lists who have prayed for me,” Brown said. “I ask everyone to keep me in their prayers.”
Former Saline County Sheriff Phil Mask vouched for Brown and testified on his behalf. Current Circuit Judge Robert Herzfeld, who served as the county prosecuting attorney during the 2004 trial, said Mask’s testimony was “bizarre,” and said, “Sheriff Phil Mask has lost his mind.”
Mask’s testimony called for a special investigation of Herzfeld’s tenure as well as allegations of prosecutorial misconduct and a manhunt for Brown after he absconded while free on an appeal bond.
After two days of proceedings and a resulting guilty verdict, deputy prosecutors Rebecca Bush and Emily White said they felt relieved because they carried the burden for the victim.
“The justice system worked for the family,” Bush said.
Brown’s attorney, David Bowden of Little Rock, said Brown’s conviction was a death sentence because of a poor heart condition.
Dr. Jerry Jones, a pediatrician at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, testified during the trial. He said the victim described the 2002 and 2003 sexual assault incidents. She said Brown cuddled up to her, inappropriately rubbed her back and stomach and digitally penetrated her genitalia. The doctor, who performed a medical examination on the girl almost a year after the last incident, said the results were normal, which is common in cases of digital penetration.
Brown said he did not sexually assault the girl and later said she was lying. Bowden said during his closing argument that Brown is a man of importance. He also said bringing out employment records was a waste of time. Bowden said that there was no physical evidence in the case, and the family left before the girl could get a medical examination.
Bush said the trial was about “a mother’s anguish at watching her child suffer.”
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