Pubdate: Sat, 04 Nov 2000
Source: Associated Press
Copyright: 2000 Associated Press

EX - TENN. COP INDICTED IN WRONG RAID

LEBANON, Tenn. (AP) -- A former police officer who led a drug raid on the
wrong house that resulted in the death of an innocent man has been indicted
by a grand jury.

Steve Nokes was charged Friday with criminal responsibility for reckless
homicide, tampering with evidence and aggravated perjury.

John Adams, 64, was shot and killed Oct. 4 when five officers burst into his
home and Adams fired at them with a sawed-off shotgun, according to police.

Police had intended to raid the home next door. Adams' wife, Lorine, said
her husband had thought he was the victim of a break-in.

Nokes was fired after the incident and three other officers were placed on
administrative leave.

Prosecutors said it was Nokes' fault that officers entered the wrong house.
They said Nokes, who didn't enter the house, also lied on the affidavit to
get a search warrant for the raid.

Adams was black, and Nokes and two of the officers on administrative leave
are white.

The incident outraged the victim's family and other blacks in the community,
and the mayor appointed a citizens review board to investigate.

Nokes was released on bail. District Attorney General Tommy Thompson said
the officers on administrative leave will not face criminal charges.
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