INMATE GATHERS FANS IN JAIL

JAY, Okla. - Eighteen jailers, dispatchers and deputies in the
Delaware County Sheriff's Department have signed a letter praising an
inmate awaiting trial on drug charges and asking a judge to grant him
probation. The letter was given directly to District Judge Robert
Haney last week, instead of the man's attorney.

Kenneth Conley, 38, of Grove was charged in June with manufacturing
methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug
paraphernalia.

He has been in the Delaware County Jail since his arrest June 13. His
trial is scheduled for Aug. 20.

The letter from the sheriff's staff members, dated Aug. 3, tells "to
whom it may concern" that they hope "Mr. Conley may receive probation
and (credit for) time served, for the crime he is being charged with."

Under state law, manufacturing meth carries a prison sentence of 20
years to life and a fine of not less than $50,000.

If convicted, Conley could be eligible for probation because he is a
first-time offender and has been cooperative with authorities and jail
staff.

A probable-cause affidavit, used to support the arrest, said Conley
told Grove officers "he knew methamphetamine was being cooked in his
house."

Lawmen who searched the home said they found chemicals and equipment
used in the making of the drug, and residue of the drug.

The letter signed by members of the sheriff's staff says: "On July 1
(Conley) was made a trustee (sic) for the jail. Since that time, we
have found his work as a trustee to be of high standard. Kenneth
Conley often volunteers for jobs without being asked and performs job
duties with little supervision."

Conley's attorney, Christy Wright, said Tuesday that she was
approached by members of the jail staff about her client's good
behavior. She said she asked them to prepare the letter, which was
meant to be used as evidence at trial.

"I didn't tell them to give it to the judge; that was entirely wrong,"
she said.

In legal terms, when one side or the other in a pending case
communicates with the judge, it is termed "ex parte communication,"
meaning it occurs outside the courtroom and the other side does not
have an opportunity to respond.

Haney said Tuesday that the law prevents him from commenting on the
letter, but he did confirm he had received it. A copy was turned over
to the prosecutor's office, but District Attorney Tom May was
unavailable for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Wright said she had explained the mistake to the judge.

Sheriff Lenden Woodruff was unavailable for comment Tuesday.
Undersheriff Rick White said he was unaware of the letter but would
"check into it."