Woodward County sheriff testifies before grand jury

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The sheriff of Woodward County has testified before the state's multicounty grand jury. <br/><br/>Sheriff Les Morton, 51, spent about an hour in the grand jury room at the Oklahoma

Tuesday, January 11th 2005, 5:40 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The sheriff of Woodward County has testified before the state's multicounty grand jury.

Sheriff Les Morton, 51, spent about an hour in the grand jury room at the Oklahoma County Courthouse on Monday, The Oklahoman reported.

Grady County Assistant District Attorney Bret Burns, the special prosecutor in the case, confirmed the investigation into Morton deals with financial issues.

``This is a continuing investigation,'' Burns said. ``We feel it was a productive day.''

Burns was appointed to investigate as special prosecutor after Woodward County District Attorney Ray Don Jackson, citing a conflict of interest, removed himself from the case in September.

The sheriff was one of several witnesses called Monday, The Oklahoman reported.

Morton and his Oklahoma City attorney, Mack Martin, declined to comment when they left the courthouse.

Morton has been sheriff in Woodward County since 1996.