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Fields fired: Detective let go amid allegations of making inappropriate sexual advances toward a female rape victim Chattanooga Police Department detective Karl Fields’ credibility questioned in criminal appeal
After misconduct drove out three Chattanooga Police Department officers in a span of three days, prosecutors say criminal cases those officers investigated could be tossed out of court.
“Their actions have jeopardized and in some cases will halt our ability to prosecute defendants,” District Attorney General Neal Pinkston wrote in an email Friday.
Chief Fred Fletcher wrapped up three internal affairs investigations early last week by sustaining violations against three officers. By the time the dust settled, two detectives had been fired and a third officer resigned.
Karl Fields, a major crimes detective with 12 years’ experience who worked as lead investigator on high-profile murder, assault and rape cases, was fired Wednesday. Seven months ago a rape victim accused Fields of making inappropriate comments, touching and calling her while he was investigating her case. Fields denied ever physically assaulting the woman, and maintains he was not untruthful.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation recently wrapped up its investigation into his behavior, and a special prosecutor is deciding whether to present the case to a grand jury.
Also fired last week was David Catchings, a nine-year major crimes detective charged with DUI and domestic assault in separate cases late last year. Former Sgt. Kevin Kincer resigned before he could be fired for theft.
An investigator, such as Fields, provides crucial support for a prosecutor’s case. What happens once that investigator’s employer says he’s no longer fit to preserve and protect?
Pinkston said each case the officers were involved in will be evaluated to determine the extent of the terminated officer’s role and whether that officer can continue to participate in the prosecution. DUI cases, such as those investigated by Kaylor, likely will be dismissed. Murder cases — Fields was lead investigator on at least one pending murder case — often have more than one investigator who could testify, Pinkston said.
After a December hearing in which murder suspect Cordalro Strickland accepted a plea deal for a maximum sentence of 15 years, prosecutors said Fields’ alleged misconduct factored into the settlement. Attorney Brandy Spurgin, who represented Strickland and examined Fields on the stand before the case was wrapped up, said she does think Fields’ internal investigation findings and the outstanding TBI investigation could affect how the state works to build its case.
“The majority of the time, I believe their best witness is going to be their case agent that investigated the case,” Spurgin said.
But Fields’ attorney, Jerry Tidwell, says he doesn’t think the detectives’ sustained violations will come up in court. In fact, Tidwell said if Fields is called to testify, his history might only be admissible if he’s convicted of a crime, Tidwell said.
“It’s going to have to be something meaty and substantive and relevant to the case,” Tidwell said.
Fletcher sustained violations of conduct unbecoming an officer and neglect of duty against Fields. Ultimately, Tidwell said, Pinkston will need to examine Fields’ cases on an individual basis to determine how to move forward.
Attorney Robin Flores, who worked as an internal affairs investigator in Charleston, S.C., before going into law, agreed.
“He’s the lead investigator,” Flores said. “He’s the head honcho.”
Flores, said he thinks the cases against the fired officers could present fodder for defense attorneys or problems for prosecution. But Flores, who has a pending civil rights case against the city of Chattanooga, said he sees one bright spot in the proceedings: The fact that Fletcher moved to decertify all three officers is unusual, he said, and shows a willingness to take misconduct seriously.
Contact staff writer Claire Wiseman at cwiseman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347. Follow her on Twitter @clairelwiseman.