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December 5, 2012

Local man stipulates to competency

By ROB W. ANDERSON Staff Writer

TAHLEQUAH — The competency trial for a Tahlequah man was not held as scheduled on Monday, as Justin James Walker stipulated to being of sound mind and body, according to the Cherokee County District Attorney’s office.

“We ended up not doing the trial. He stipulated to competency,” said a spokesman for the DA’s office. “They set the plea hearing for Thursday at 1:30.”

Walker, 27, was to appear in front of a jury of his peers Monday to determine whether he is competent to stand trial on multiple allegations. The plea hearing will take place Dec. 6 at 1:30 p.m. in Cherokee County District Court.

Walker was charged in August on allegations of larceny of an automobile, possession of firearms after conviction or during probation, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, eluding or attempting to elude a police officer, and bribing an officer.

He allegedly stole a 1989 Chevrolet truck on Aug. 25 and sped away when law officials tried to stop the vehicle. Walker crashed into two other vehicles and tried to escape on foot before getting captured by police. Prosecutors allege Walker then offered Tahlequah Patrolman Cody Warren $100 to let him go.

Walker was in possession of methamphetamine and a Mossberg shotgun at the time of his arrest. He was held in jail on a $100,000 bond.

Records indicate Walker was charged in June with possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Past convictions include knowingly concealing stolen property, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and second-degree burglary, according to information submitted with the August charges.

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