Turney didn't admit to wrongdoing.

Embattled cop was accused of threat on relative

By Brian D. Crecente, Rocky Mountain News
March 13, 2004

Denver police officer James Turney no longer faces criminal charges in Iowa for allegedly phoning his former mother-in-law last summer and threatening to kill her.

The alleged threat came the day before Turney shot and killed 14-year-old Paul Childs in northeast Denver, setting off neighborhood protests and spurring the mayor to roll out what he called the "most comprehensive package" of police reforms in the city's history. Iowa prosecutors in January agreed to drop the misdemeanor harassment charge against Turney in exchange for his promise not to have any contact with Rosella Orme, of Shenandoah, Iowa, for five years, said assistant Page County attorney Tony Almquist.

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"We did that without (Turney) entering a plea," Almquist said. "He didn't admit to any wrongdoing, just basically agreed to have no contact at all with the victim for a period of five years."

Almquist said that if the case had involved a more serious charge, Turney would most likely have had to admit guilt.

"He didn't want to admit any wrongdoings, but they also didn't want to come back to Iowa for a hearing or a trial in magistrate court so we agreed to this," he said.

"We thought it was the best for all parties involved and gave some comfort to the alleged victim that he would not have contact with her for five years."

Almquist said the decision to enter into the agreement was made in part because the case was Orme's word against Turney's.

If Turney had been found guilty of the misdemeanor charge he could have lost his state certification to be a police officer.

Misdemeanor harassment is one of 42 charges that could cause the Colorado's Police Officer Standards and Training division to revoke certification.

If Turney breaks the deferred prosecution agreement in the first year, Iowa prosecutors will pursue the charge, Almquist said.

"We come back in a year and if he's abided by the agreement we make a motion to dismiss the case."

The misdemeanor charge was filed against Turney on July 18 and a statewide Iowa arrest warrant was issued.

The Rev. Patrick Demmer of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance said he wasn't surprised to hear that the charges were dropped.

"I'm not disappointed and I'm not surprised, because whenever you are dealing with domestic situations it's common for a case to be dropped," he said. "If Turney is going to be disciplined for what happened in Denver it should happen in Denver, not in Iowa."

Michael Thompson, Childs' uncle and a family spokesman, said that he had hoped the Iowa charges would lead to Turney's dismissal from the force.

The charge was filed after Turney allegedly called Orme on July 4 and threatened to "put a bullet through the middle" of her head, according to court documents.

Prosecutors asked the magistrate to take the unusual step of issuing a statewide arrest warrant to prevent Turney from returning to Iowa, where his ex-wife and 10-year-old son live. If he had returned he would have been arrested.

On July 5 - the day after the alleged threat - Turney shot and killed Childs, a 15-year-old developmentally disabled youth armed with a knife, after family members called police to their home for help.

On July 8, Turney was suspended with pay while an internal affairs investigated the alleged threat and the shooting.

Both of the internal affairs investigations have been completed and are awaiting a decision by Police Chief Gerry Whitman.

Two review boards have recommended action against Turney for the shooting, saying he misinterpreted the use of force policy, according to police officials.

It is unknown what the recommendation is in the harassment investigation.

Whitman remained tight- lipped about both internal affairs cases Friday, confirming only that both were awaiting his decision.

Once he makes a decision, the cases will be sent to the manager of safety who will make the final decision on what, if anything, will happen to Turney.

crecenteb@RockyMountain News.com or 303-892-2811

Copyright 2004, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved.