Here is what we know. Special Counsel arrived at the Villa Hills City Building accompanied by a computer forensics expert on Tuesday, April 10. We are told that it was their stated intention to examine the computers that Martin removed from City premises after-hours in his personal vehicle several months ago. We have also learned that Martin refused to allow Special Counsel to examine the computers on Tuesday.
Several witnesses also report that they saw Public Works employees carrying the computers in white EVIDENCE boxes. Strangely, these witnesses report that the Public Works employees were wearing rubber gloves. We are still trying to confirm why, or even if, Martin considers the computers “evidence”. “Evidence” of what?!?!
We have other questions. Does Martin have the legal right to interfere in the Special Counsel’s investigation (an investigation that was properly authorized under Kentucky Revised Statute 83A by a majority of City Council) into his activities? Is Martin trying to hide something? If so, what and why? Furthermore, if these computers are “evidence”, how many people have had access to them over the last nearly sixteen months? The list of people who could have used, misused or tampered with the computers over that length of time could total in the dozens.
Let’s face it. Martin took the computers off City premises after-hours in his own vehicle. Where did he take them? What was done to them? As we first posted on October 29, 2011, there is the whole issue of what is generally referred to as “chain of custody”. The detectives in the botched OJ Simpson investigation received a harsh lesson in that. Given the “shoddy at best” handling of these computers, what, if anything, can be believed?
Martin’s most recent computer antics certainly add more grist for the Special Counsel’s mill. The Special Counsel presentation of his initial findings is now scheduled for Monday April 30 in the cafeteria at River Ridge Elementary. The Martin Chronicles will most certainly be there. We believe that if you care even a little bit about Villa Hills, you should also attend.
We are going to continue to follow leads on this breaking story. As Mike Martin famously wrote in his three-page Manifesto, you are getting what you voted for!
