2 INDICTED JEFFERSON DETECTIVES RESIGN

Judge Denies Their Request To Reduce Bond

Jefferson County narcotics detectives Mark Watson and Christie Richardson
resigned yesterday, four days after each was indicted on more than 450
counts of burglary, tampering with public records, perjury and theft.

Their resignations end the department's internal administrative review but
have no effect on the continuing criminal investigation, said Officer
Robert Biven, a department spokesman. The two can no longer be compelled to
cooperate, so there was no point in continuing the internal inquiry, he said.

Watson and Richardson, who were partners in Metro Narcotics, tendered their
resignations, effective immediately, in writing yesterday through their
attorneys, Biven said.

In an interview, Richardson's attorney, Steve Schroering, said: "My client,
just based on the allegations that have been made against her by this
department, decided she no longer wanted to be a police officer. She is not
conceding any wrongdoing at all. This has been a nightmare for her."

Watson's lawyers couldn't be reached for comment after a bond-reduction
hearing yesterday.

The former detectives are permitted to withdraw their contributions from
their retirement accounts, said Gerri Miller, deputy commission of benefit
services for the Kentucky Retirement Systems.

They have been released on bail after their families posted $150,000 in
property and $25,000 in cash. A Jefferson Circuit judge refused yesterday
to lower those bonds, despite arguments by the former detectives' attorneys
at a hearing that they were excessive.

During the hearing, lawyers said neither officer had a criminal record and
neither was a risk to jump bail.

Judge Steve Mershon dismissed those arguments, saying the bonds would
stand, "given the gravity of the charges." Innocent people might be behind
bars because of the officers' alleged actions, he said.

Watson and Richardson have pleaded innocent to hundreds of charges,
including fabricating information to obtain search warrants, tampering with
drug evidence and forging judges' signatures. The cases could result in the
dismissal of more than a dozen prosecutions and could prompt the release of
at least two people convicted of felonies.

A pretrial conference was set yesterday for April 29.

Watson joined the county department in 1992 and Richardson in 1994.

During the bond-reduction hearing, Watson and Richardson were stoic as
attorneys argued their cases.

"My client is 34 years old. She has absolutely no criminal history,"
Schroering said.

Richardson has cooperated with police, including waiting at the Hall of
Justice to be arrested Friday, Schroering said.

Watson waited in his attorney's office to be arrested, said his attorney,
Mary Sharp.

"He's a member of this community. He has a wife, four children and a home,"
said Sharp, adding that Watson coaches soccer and is involved in other
community activities.

Sharp said Watson's wife has had to take a third-shift job at WalMart to
help support the family.

Watson used four pieces of property, including pieces owned by friends and
family, to help make bail, Sharp said. The property used for Richardson's
bond was her husband's home, her attorney said.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Scott Davis said the detectives "put
lives at risk" when they "busted down doors with guns drawn" to serve
warrants they are charged with fabricating.