18 JUL 07: REGRETS, I'VE HAD A FEW

"Sometimes in this business, you make mistakes." That quote could have been made by a lot of people Tuesday -- from local law enforcement officials to the top managers of the Atlanta Falcons.

But the quote actually was made by Muscogee County Marshal Greg Countryman, after a very unusual Columbus Council meeting. The city openly apologized to a man who was wrongly arrested for a couple of weeks. Somewhere, the mother of Kenneth Walker must have collapsed on the floor in shock.

Markeith Milner was the first man arrested in April, for a Sunday night assault on a mobile home which left two people dead. But Columbus Police eventually decided he was NOT involved, and let him go. Why do these errors happen so often to police officers on TV dramas, and not to defense attorneys?

Four other people now are under arrest for that deadly home invasion - but as those arrests occurred, someone tipped off the Marshal's Office that Markeith Milner was NOT part of the crime. We're left to wonder who the tipster was. Did one of the real criminals decide Milner was too wimpy to be in their gang?

So even before the murder charges in this home invasion murder case went before a grand jury, it went before Columbus Council. Markeith Milner appeared Tuesday, and received a public apology from both Mayor Jim Wetherington and Police Chief Ricky Boren. This apparently was a first - as not even police officers received this, when they were really underpaid.

Mayor Wetherington admitted to Markeith Milner: "Occasionally we do make mistakes." OK, how many people plan to record that comment in the next few days - in case the mayor runs for reelection in 2010?

Columbus Council didn't stop with a public apology. It approved a cash settlement for Markeith Milner of $31,500. That's about $2,400 for every day Milner spent in jail - which makes you wonder how EconoLodge does it for less than 50 dollars a night.

Markeith Milner was accompanied to Columbus Council by attorney Frank Martin. The sight of Martin may have raised some eyebrows, as rumors went around town during last year's mayoral campaign that he had Jim Wetherington in his hip pocket. These days, of course, it may be more like Martin's belt - assuming his cell phone is clipped there.

It's not clear if Frank Martin even had filed suit against the city, on Markeith Milner's behalf. But Martin said after the Columbus Council meeting that Milner only wanted his good name back. If Milner gives half the cash settlement to local charities, that might be a good start.

There was a time when Columbus Council might hold out for years, before agreeing to a settlement like this. But in this case, a settlement was approved about 90 days after Markeith Milner was arrested. I don't think the state of Alabama processes income tax refunds that quickly.

But is Columbus Council setting a bad precedent with a settlement like this? If the city pays off people kept behind bars for two weeks, what will happen if some of the four current suspects in the home invasion killings are acquitted at trial? Will potential pay raises for detectives go instead to people who can prove the detectives didn't wear gloves around their DNA?

BLOG EXCLUSIVE UPDATE: We revealed last Thursday that Columbus Police had offered employment to the son of the assistant police chief, even though he was arrested for stalking two years ago. Today we hear from the alleged "stalkee":

Richard,

Search no more……………

If you were looking for the "ex-wife" of Brian Rowe, you have found her. I read your blog this morning after being tipped off.

Wow ! Sounds like someone is seriously threatned by Brian joining the dept.

I have no doubts about Brian's capabilities at the Columbus Police Dept. He will do a GREAT job for them; just as he did at the Muscogee County Sheriffs Dept.

The stalking charge was dropped because the D.A. was contacted and asked that it be dropped. The female officer made a mistake. The officer was never told he came onto the property or was stalking anyone. He was simply asked to leave.

I might not be married to Brian anymore, but I certainly wish him well at the CPD.

Kimberly Rowe

AAA Auto Club # 56

We thank you for the explanation - and how interesting is this?! If Ms. Rowe isn't afraid of her ex-husband pulling her over, she must drive at the speed limit all the time.

One of the national evening newscasts noted the other night that police departments across the country are lowering their standards a bit, due to staff shortages. Oakland, California now accepts new officers who admit to prior drug use. But why not - when we elected a President who did the same thing?

Now let's see if any other surprises came our way Tuesday....

+ The Ledger-Enquirer gave Muscogee County Superintendent John Phillips a front-page banner headline - because the school board voted to raise his pay to more than $250,000. The staff at Mattress City will be watching closely over the next few days, for his "Kits for Kids" donation.

+ The evening news revealed two of the three finalists for Russell County School Superintendent may not be qualified for the job. Given the recent history of this position, I wouldn't be surprised if the third finalist flunked a physical exam.

+ The Talbotton City Council took further budget-cutting steps, including a vote to cut the police department from four members to three. Remember when e-mailers to this blog tried to connect Hurtsboro with Talbot County? That connection could come in handy now -- with Hurtsboro possibly doubling its police force.

+ WRBL reported the proposal to abolish the Muscogee County Coroner's office was tabled by Columbus Council. They made it sound like the idea was dead - but it looks simply comatose to me.

(A study was submitted to Columbus Council, indicating cities triple their costs by switching from a coroner to a department of medical examiners. Maybe it's because those examiners are selfish - you know, "It's all about M.E.")

+ Columbus Council received petitions from the group "Dogs Deserve Better." It wants city rules changed, so dogs aren't tied to trees or poles all day long. I assume none of the people who signed the petition work for the U.S. Postal Service....

+ Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was indicted by a Virginia grand jury, on charges of involvement in illegal dog fights. Vick is part of a group in Newport News called "Bad News Kennels." It makes you wonder how many of the old "Bad News Bears" are behind bars today.

(This arrest puts the Atlanta Falcons in a tough situation. If they keep Michael Vick on the team, animal rights groups plan to protest. If they release Michael Vick before a trial, civil rights groups probably will protest. And if the team has another poor season, the most important group will protest - as fans give up their season tickets.)

+ Auburn University showed the latest improvement project at Jordan-Hare Stadium. It's adding a new $2.9 million "high-definition" video screen. If only the football players were high-definition as well - as in their literature term papers.

+ Instant Message to all Satan worshipers in Sumter County: You wouldn't have to break into churches and steal valuables if you collected a tithe from everyone in your group. Simply "forget" to tell the new members it's a concept from the Bible.

COMING SOON: A new local business that's keeping very strange hours....

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