Police Witness Intimidation in Ohio Succeeds

The high school principal who wrote a letter of support for Derrick Foster, the man charged with attempted murder for wounding two police officers conducting a paramilitary-style drug raid last month, has since apologized. Pickerington High School’s Scott Reeves apologized in front of 14 police officers after the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police organized a campaign against him for daring to vouch for the character of a man who mistook raiding cops for armed robbers during the raid.

Yes, Reeves wrote the letter on school letterhead. But why do I get the feeling that if he’d written a similar letter in support of say, a police officers accused of misconduct, the police union wouldn’t be calling for his head?

This is blatant witness intimidation. Foster’s character could very well factor into his trial, which will be an effort to determine if Foster knew the men breaking down the door were police officers. It isn’t at all inconceivable that Reeves might be called to testify at Foster’s trial. Same for the other 13 people who vouched for Foster’s character at his bond hearing, many of whom were also harassed by the police union, including organized boycotts of their businesses.

Maybe some criminal attorneys can help me out, here. How is it that the actions of the police union in this case don’t amount to obstruction of justice?