Second Officer Takes The Stand In Tulsa Police Corruption Trial

Lori Fullbright, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tulsa Police Officer Jeff Henderson testified on his own behalf Wednesday. He and Officer Bill Yelton are on trial for corruption in federal court.

8/16/2011 Related Story: Fellow Officers Defend Tulsa Police Officers In Corruption Trial

The first question Henderson's attorney asked him, was did you commit any of these crimes, violating civil rights, getting witnesses to lie, have or distribute drugs and Henderson said, "I have not done one of those things." Then, they began going through the 50 plus charges, one by one.

Officer Jeff Henderson told the jury he's received dozens of letters of commendations during his career as a Tulsa police officer, along with three chief's awards and the medal of valor last year.

He says he never relied on just the word of a confidential informant to get a search warrant, but always backed it up with other evidence.

He says on the Ryan Logsdon warrant, they found $10,000 and that's what was turned in.

Lodgson had testified he had $60,000 and former ATF agent Brandon McFadden had testified they found $13,000 and he and Henderson split $3,000 and turned in the rest.

Henderson says on another warrant, they found four large bales or bricks of marijuana and that's what was turned in.

McFadden had testified they found four, but he and Henderson stole two. However, records show four were turned in and a picture showed officers posing with four.

Henderson says Rochelle Martin was a very good confidential informant who gave him tips on more than 100 cases.  He says he never gave her drugs to use or sell.

He says it's very hard to prove something didn't happen, but, in many cases, he showed phone records and gave lengthy, detailed descriptions en an effort to back up what he was saying.

Prosecutors will have their chance to cross examine Henderson Thursday.

With other officers testifying, the government has asked, even though a person is a criminal, a doper, a gang member, a felon, the constitution still applies to them doesn't it, they still have rights don't they? If the police arrest someone, they have to get it right, don't they? They can't make up things to get them, can they?

All the officers agreed.