Morganville, NJ, MARCH 9, 2019: Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti announced today that a formal request has been made to the FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis field office to investigate newly-discovered evidence that should vindicate Shelby County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Earley Story, who was convicted in 1999 for the alleged sale of marijuana to a police informant.
— View the Press Release Here —
In 2003, the NPDF commenced an investigation that disclosed that the prosecution may have been retaliatory since Deputy Story was a federal “whistle-blower” who publicly exposed allegations of official corruption and inmate abuse at the jail where he worked.
NPDF Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti stated, “As part of the NPDF investigation I spoke to an FBI Special Agent who shared similar concerns of Sgt. Story’s innocence and that he may have been railroaded into a conviction; however, the FBI declined jurisdiction at that time to investigate. Moreover, an FBI investigation is now warranted since it appears that the civil rights of Sgt. Story may have been violated.”
According to a recent media report, there is new evidence that a police informant and undercover officer perjured themselves in Story’s prosecution. Moreover, that same informant reportedly perjured himself in another prosecution case where the conviction was overturned.
Sgt. Story, who lost his freedom, career and pension, has a pending application before a Shelby County court to overturn his conviction on this newly-discovered evidence. Since he is financially indigent, he is representing himself “pro-se.”
The NPDF has also contacted Congressman Steve Cohen to support the NPDF’s request for an FBI investigation and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee asking for an independent review of Sgt. Story’s conviction and consideration for a pardon. Therefore, any person who would like to make a tax-deducible donation to Sgt. Story’s legal defense fund may do so by going online to www.npdf1.org
or by calling 888-SAFE COP or mail to the address noted below.
NATIONAL POLICE DEFENSE FOUNDATION
DEPUTY EARLEY STORY LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
21 KILMER DRIVE, BLDG 2 SUITE F
MORGANVILLE, NEW JERSEY 07751
For further information, you can contact the National Police Defense Foundation at 732-616-9600 or email npdf1@aol.com.
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