Two Former Officers Face Trial In Gambling Raid

CHICKASHA, Okla. (AP) A judge ordered two former law officers accused of gambling at the Chickasha Elks lodge to face trial.<br/> <br/>However, Comanche County Judge Ken Harris ruled the evidence against

Saturday, January 6th 2007, 3:34 pm

By: News On 6

CHICKASHA, Okla. (AP) A judge ordered two former law officers accused of gambling at the Chickasha Elks lodge to face trial.

However, Comanche County Judge Ken Harris ruled the evidence against a third man was insufficient to warrant a felony charge of gambling by a peace officer.

The three men are among eight current or former Grady County law enforcement officers charged in connection with a September raid at the lodge.

Among them are Sheriff Kieran McMullen and his wife, Helen, a former police supervisor until her recent firing.

District Attorney Bret Burns conducted an undercover investigation for a year. The raid yielded eight electronic gambling machines and evidence of poker tournaments and lotteries.

Harris said the evidence presented over two days was sufficient to proceed to trial for Jim Peek, a former deputy; and Greg Parks, a former Chickasha police officer.

Cleared of the felony charge was deputy Delmer Barthelme.

Facing four felony charges, including conspiracy, are the McMullens, sheriff's Lt. Robert Cacy and former police officer Jerry Tyler. Their preliminary hearings are set for Friday. An eighth law officer faces only a misdemeanor neglect charge.