Friday's Internet Edition, July 25, 2008.
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Publisher - Roane Circuit Judge Tom Evans has tossed out an alleged confession by a former Roane County paramedic accused of stealing drugs off ambulances and putting something else in their place.
Matthew Clarkson, 28, of Spencer appeared in court Thursday for a hearing to determine if the confession could be used against him.
He is facing eight misdemeanor charges including four counts each of possession of a controlled substance and creation of an imitation controlled substance. The charges allege that while he was a paramedic for the Roane County Emergency Squad, Clarkson removed morphine and Valium from ambulances for his own use and replaced the drugs with water or another substance.
Judge Tom Evans asked prosecutor Mark Sergent if the investigating officer told Clarkson that, if he confessed, the judge and prosecutor would help him.
“Yes,” Sergent said.
The confession was recorded by Trooper P.S. Fisher of the State Police detachment in Spencer.
Evans called for a break in the hearing while attorneys researched similar cases. Upon returning to court, Evans cited several cases in which courts have ruled that promises of leniency by an officer render a confession inadmissible in court.
Evans granted public defender Teresa Monk’s motion, which will prevent the confession from being used as evidence when the case goes to trial.
A jury trial in the case is set for July 8. Clarkson remains free on bond while the case is pending.
