TULSA, Okla. — A Pittsburg County judge quashed a petition for a Grand Jury investigation into Wagoner County officials due to a lack of signatures.
The ruling comes after arguments last week over differing laws that stated different numbers of signatures needed for the petition. The ruling found the number of signatures needed is 4,300 and organizers were about 570 signatures short.
How did it get here?
Wagoner County Citizens Against Corruption stated that it was fed up with its elected officials, including the district attorney. Jack Thorp, and petitioned for a grand Jury. Thorp filed a motion to quash in hopes of clearing his name.
He filed court documents saying the claims made by residents are false, adding that a grand jury doesn't have jurisdiction to investigate him or remove him from office.
In the petition, residents cited numerous instances they claim were costly failures to taxpayers.
Local News
Wagoner Co. residents petition for grand jury investigation into sheriff, DA
These included a death in the county jail, which led to a tax increase.
As well as the case of Jeff Krueger. Officers believed he was impaired, but toxicology reports show no drugs or alcohol in his system. Medical records say he died as a result of being restrained.
The family was frustrated that no officers were investigated for involvement in Krueger's death.
2 News talked with some of the residents behind the grand jury petition.
"We're not trying to prove anyone's guilty- a court is doing that - we're asking that a grand jury investigate what's going on," said Brent Watson.
A judge approved the petition to collect signatures.
"For us to sit by and let these things happen in our county is morally wrong," said Watson.
D.A. Thorp and Sheriff Chris Elliott issued two statements backing up their work, stating that everything was done lawfully.
You can read those statements here.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Watch LIVE 24/7 on YouTube
