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Valley Publishing Company Precinct 7 Upper Valley, El Paso County. |
Constable # 7 William Burkett Indicted on Felony Charge
As we reported in late October, County Constable Precinct # 7 William "Bill" Burkett, 42, was alledgedly involved in an altercation at the Stampede nightclub on the morning of April 4th, 2004. Alledgedly involved in that altercation with Burkett was sheriff's Deputy Mark David Graham, 35.
On December 8th, 2004, the 168th District Court Grand Jury indicted Burkett on a 3rd-degree felony charge that he unlawfully threatened to arrest El Paso Police Officer Alfonso Nevarez and his family members as a means of retaliation for Nevarez's police action. Graham was also indicted on a charge of resisting arrest; a Class B Misdeamenor.
Alledgedly, Burkett and Graham, were drinking and threatening Stampede nightclub employees on the morning of April 4th 2004 and they were asked to leave. Things allegedly got uglier and the police were called. In the altercation that allegedly ensued with the police Graham was arrested on charges of resisting arrest.
Apparently during the alledged altercation with El Paso Police Officer Nevarez, when Graham was arrested; Burkett alledgedly claimed that he was injured and was escorted by police as he was taken to an area hospital by ambulance where he alledgedly threatened Officer Nevarez, a 3rd Degree Felony.
The Beacon was able to obtain a transcript of the El Paso County Constable Mission Statement which reads in part:
"The Constable will act to maintain the peace and good order in the precincts of the county... to prevent and suppress crime in the precincts of the county."
The District Attorney's office has yet to release a date for trail and has not ruled out the possibliity of a plea agreement for Burkett.
Burkett, remains in office as an elected official. And as an elected official he answers only to the residents of the Upper Valley. Burkett works for, but does not answer to, the Justice of the Peace, who is also an elected official.
According to County Commisioner Dan Hagerty's office, if Burkett were to resign or was found guilty and removed from office for failure to maintain his law enforcement credentials; the Commissioner's Court would appoint a new Constable. That newly appointed Constable would serve the remaining time of the the present term of Constable Burkett.
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Editor, Upper Valley Beacon
Copyright 2004 Valley Publishing Company
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