KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana |Sentencing for convicted Caddo Parish judges delayed

Sentencing for convicted Caddo Parish judges delayed

CADDO PARISH (KSLA) - Two Shreveport judges convicted on corruption charges will have to wait a little longer for their sentencing.

The sentencing for Judges Michael Walker and Vernon Claville was postponed until next month. Walker will be sentenced on October 2nd and Claville will be sentenced on October 3rd.

Walker and Claville were convicted in June of taking bribes in return for lowering bonds or lifting court holds, which allowed people to get out of jail.

From July 11
CADDO PARISH, LA (KSLA) - Attorneys for two judges convicted on corruption charges have asked a federal appeals court in New Orleans to allow their clients to remain out of jail on bond until they're sentenced.

Judges Michael Walker and Vernon Claville were convicted of taking bribes in return for lowering bonds or lifting court holds, which allowed people to get out of jail.

Sentencing for the judges is scheduled for September.

It's not known when the court will rule on the appeal.

From June 5
CADDO PARISH, LA (KSLA) - Two Caddo Parish judges found guilty of racketeering have been moved to federal detention facilities.

Judge Michael Walker was taken to the Federal Correctional Facility in Texarkana, while Judge Vernon Claville was sent to the Federal Correctional Facility in Seagoville, Texas, just outside of Fort Worth.

KSLA News 12 has also learned both men will retire effective July 2nd. We're told both men will still get their state pensions, but that could decrease depending on possible fines issued at their sentencing hearing on September 4th.

From June 3
Story by Fred Childers

CADDO PARISH, LA (KSLA) - The Caddo Parish judges found guilty of racketeering on Monday have asked for their freedom until their sentencing date.

That request was considered Tuesday at the federal courthouse and denied.

Federal Judge Maurice Hicks ordered that Michael Walker and Vernon Claville stay in jail. Hicks said the defense failed to produce clear and convincing evidence that Walker and Claville were not flight risks and not a danger to society.

Defense teams had asked the judge to allow their clients to get their things in order before the sentencing date, which is September 4th. Claville's attorney, Ron Miciotto, told Judge Hicks that his client needs to take care of business and get his bank accounts in order. Miciotto also told Judge Hicks that Claville knows of the possibility of incarceration and said he's at peace with that. Claville was visibly upset when he heard Judge Hicks' order to keep him incarcerated.

Both Walker and Claville were handcuffed, which were connected by a chain to shackles on their feet. Both were wearing Bossier Parish Prison uniforms.

One of the many witnesses called on behalf of Walker was his brother, Joseph Walker III, who is a bishop for a church in Nashville TN. He testified that Walker is not a flight risk and not a danger to society.

Joseph Walker Senior, Michael Walker's dad, was supposed to testify but said he couldn't at the last minute. The senior Walker asked to see his son but turned and walked away crying as Michael Walker approached him in shackles. Michael Walker went back to the defendant's table with his attorneys, lowered and shook his head. "He was scheduled to testify, he just couldn't do it, it had him looking like a murderer, like he had done something to really harm someone, and Michael wouldn't hurt a fly," said Michael Walker's brother, Joseph Walker III. 

On the court's decision to keep them in jail, Walker's brother replied, "Obviously, we're disappointed. I know my brother, of course, it's just a sad day for us. We remain resolved and we believe that my brother is innocent."

The U.S. Attorney's Office indicated there is a danger to society related to Walker. The prosecution's key witness, Travis McCullough, who testified for the government and was put in protective custody, reportedly told the FBI that he was concerned for his own safety and the safety of his family because Walker had a lot of connections in the community. The FBI testified that McCullough was indirectly threatened by someone who was acquitted by Judge Walker. 

FBI Special Agent, J.T. Colemen said on the witness stand Tuesday that Larry Williams, owner of A-Instant Bail Bonding Company, told the FBI that a man approached him and told him that if they find McCullough they would kill him.

Defense Attorney Daryl Gold asked Coleman if the man ever said that Walker threatened him, to which Coleman replied "No sir."

According to a faxed news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office to KSLA News 12, sentencing in federal court is determined by the discretion of federal judges and the governing statute. Parole has been abolished in the federal system.