Florida ex-officer convicted

[B-Ray]

Source: The NandoTimes
Florida ex-officer convicted of robbing, injuring man who died
By RON WORD, Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A former police officer was convicted Wednesday of conspiracy and intimidating and injuring a convenience store owner killed after leaving a bank with $51,000.

The 15 federal charges against Karl Waldon grew out of a federal investigation into allegations that Jacksonville police officers tipped off drug dealers about raids.

One of three officers who pleaded guilty, Aric Sinclair, worked off-duty where store owner Sami Safar banked. Sinclair said he told Waldon about Safar's banking habits, but didn't take part in robbing and killing him.

Waldon's attorney argued Sinclair was the mastermind of the July 1998 attack. Safar had withdrawn the money to cash payroll checks for his customers.

Witnesses testified Waldon stopped Safar with his patrol car, drove to a parking lot and choked Safar unconscious with a rope. The medical examiner could not determine the cause of death.

The jury also convicted Waldon, 39, of violating Safar's civil rights and taking money from drug dealers. He was acquitted of a charge of conspiracy to distribute drugs.

Waldon faces a maximum penalty of death on the federal charges. The penalty phase was set to begin Tuesday.