By C. COLT CRANE

The Voice

 BURLEY – Last week, local law enforcement officials found themselves occupied trying to chase down a group of motorcycle operators that were driving at excessive speeds through Burley.

According to police records, on Thursday, November 29, 2012, officers responded to multiple calls of motorcycle racing on Overland Avenue at approximately 7 p.m.

At 7:10 p.m. an officer was parked at the stop light at the intersection of 8^th Street and Overland Avenue when three motorcycles passed the officer traveling approximately 40 miles per hour, weaving through traffic while traveling north.

Official records indicated that “none of the bikes had headlights or other required lighting for operation at night.”

The reporting officer also stated that one of the motorbikes rode a wheelie through the 8^th Street intersection at which point the officer turned on his siren and emergency lights and proceeded to attempt to stop the bikes.

Due to extra traffic, the pursuing officer fell behind the motorcycles by a block and a half. When the officer approached Stokes Market parking lot, one of the motorcycles was found abandoned after it had crashed into the back of a car.

The remaining vehicles then turned east onto 5^th Street before separating and fleeing in different directions. The officer continued to follow one of the motorbikes. The officer followed the motorcycle ran multiple stop signs as it traveled east on 5^th Street at an approximate speed of 55 miles per hour.

The motorbike operator continued to evade police, eventually turning onto a dirt road near the Burley Airport and crashing on the side of the road. The pursuing officer arrived shortly thereafter and began a search for the missing rider.

Cassia County Sheriff’s Office officials were able to locate the three motorbike riders after the incident. Police identified the three suspects as Tyson McKnight, of Burley; Brandon Schell, of Burley and Brodie Bell, of Oakley. McKnight was issued a citation for reckless driving while Schell and Bell were arrested and booked for reckless driving. Schell was additionally charged for leaving the scene of a property damage crash.

“It was just kids in town driving reckless on their motorbikes,” said Cassia County Sheriff Randy Kidd when asked about the incident.

According to police reports, the arresting officer spoke with Schell about the night’s activities. Schell responded and said that he was “being dumb.”

Sheriff Kidd commented further on the riders’ behavior.

“They were running lights and stop signs and speeding,” said Kidd. “It was very hazardous behavior on their part.”

According to police the motorcycles were not outfitted for use on city streets.

“These motorcycles were off-road bikes and not street legal,” said Kidd. “We’re lucky nobody got hurt.”

Tara Bagley charged with seven alleged sex crimes

 By RENEE WELLS

The Voice

                BURLEY – Rumors were confirmed Friday concerning a Burley High School teacher being sought on sex charges.

                Burley High School’s assistant principal was arrested Friday, charged with seven counts of Sexual abuse of a minor child between 16 and 17 years of age.

                Tara Bagley, 41, of Burley, was arrested without incident in St. George, Utah, sometime Friday, according to a Cassia County Sheriff’s Department press release.

                Her bond has been set at $250,000.

                Officers attempted to make the arrest locally and were told she had gone to Utah to visit family.

                According to the press release, the alleged abuse events began around July 2011 and continued to December 2012 in Cassia County.

                The incidents did not occur on school property and the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing an investigation.

                Officials did not say if Bagley had been extradited back to Idaho, and no other details were immediately available.

By RENEE WELLS

The Voice

                BURLEY – Rumors were confirmed Friday concerning a Burley High School teacher being sought on sex charges.

                Burley High School’s assistant principal was arrested Friday, charged with seven counts of Sexual abuse involving two minor girls between 16 and 17 years of age.

                Tara Bagley, 41, of Burley, was arrested without incident in St. George, Utah, sometime Friday, according to a Cassia County Sheriff’s Department press release.

                Her bond has been set at $250,000.

                Officers attempted to make the arrest locally and were told she had gone to Utah to visit family.

                According to the press release, the alleged abuse events began around July 2011 and continued to December 2012 in Cassia County.

                The incidents did not occur on school property and the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing an investigation.

                Officials did not say if Bagley had been extradited back to Idaho, and no other details were immediately available.

The Voice photo by C. Colt Crane
Cassia County police are looking for three suspects connected with an armed robbery of the Lamplighter motel in Burley.
By C. COLT CRANE
The Voice
BURLEY – The Cassia County Sheriff’s office is searching for three suspects connected to an armed robbery that occurred at a local motel on Sunday night.
According to Cassia County Undersheriff George Warrell, three armed assailants held up the Lamplighter Motel on Main Street in Burley. The suspects entered the motel at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Sunday night and demanded money from the attendant.
“They entered the motel and brandished firearms and demanded money,” said Warrell.
Warrell stated that the two males wearing masks and a female made off with an undisclosed amount of money.
“We don’t have a description of the male suspects was, but the female’s face was uncovered and she was described as being in her 20s with blonde hair,” said Warrell.
The suspects escaped with the money, but witnesses were unsure if the trio left in a vehicle or on foot.
“We’re following up some leads and working some information,” Warrell said.
“We hope to be able to make an arrest soon.”
Police did not release the information of the types of weapons used in the robbery.
The case is still under investigation and the sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information on the robbery to contact t

AMERICAN FALLS – On Wednesday, February 20, 2013, at approximately 08:55 a.m., Idaho State Police conducted a routine traffic stop on a silver 2002 Toyota Highlander near milepost 39, near American Falls on Interstate 86 in Power County, Idaho.
The silver Toyota was driving east and was stopped for a traffic violation.
The driver was identified as Antonio Alvarez-Contreras, 51, from Gaston, Oregon.
Pursuant to the traffic stop, approximately 89.9 pounds of suspected marijuana was found and seized.
Alvarez-Contreras’ 2002 Toyota Highlander was also seized.
Alvarez-Contreras was incarcerated in the Power County Jail where he was charged with trafficking a controlled substance.
The marijuana has a street value of $180,000.00.

12:40 a.m. – Loud noise coming from apartment on 1300 block of Miller Avenue, reported by male caller.
1:22 a.m. – Caller reported a black cow on highway at MP 12 Hwy 81, between Declo and Malta. Believes it may belong to BYU Ranch.
1:41 a.m . – Caller reported someone just stole an I-pod from his car. Suspect running northbound wearing a brown Carhart coat.
5:53 a.m. – Caller reported street light at corner near her home in the 700 block of Overland is sparking.
8:06 a.m. – Caller reported her car, parked on E. 22nd, was broken into during the night.
8:57 a.m. – Burley Irrigation District called to inform department that they would be burning ditchbanks at various sites throughout the county along the ditches and canals.
9:04 a.m. – Felony probation requested officer to take client to jail on a served warrant for probation violation.
11:47 a.m. – Minor accident reported in 2800 block of Fairmont; John A. Paul, 35, Burley vs. Jacques Christopher Dring, 56, Burley; Dring cited for improper backing after he backed into Paul’s pickup, causing minor damage.
12:17 p.m. – Caller reported a vehicle driving back and forth in front of a vacant home on 200 South Road. Caller was concerned because property has been stolen from there in the past and the home is currently vacant.
1:51 p.m. – Caller reported a herd of sheep that appeared to be emaciated in a field on the west side of I-84 in the Raft River area. Officer checked and found that the sheep had just recently been sheared, so they were a little rough looking, but not in bad health.
2:17 p.m. – Caller said he was jumped by several people and would like to speak with a deputy. Officer reported that the incident is a neighborhood dispute.
2:24 p.m. – A resident of rural Cassia County called and asked to speak with a deputy about some things missing from her residence.
2:41 p.m. – A Malta resident came in and reported they had lost two leather folders that contained their personal items; ie. Id’s, passports, driver’s licenses, etc. They believe they were lost in the Smith’s Food King parking lot.
5:15 p.m. – A caller reported that three male subjects were skinny dipping. The incident was reported at 100 North Overland, so they must have been either in the river, or the slew south of Cal Ranch, and near Norco.
5:43 p.m. – Caller reported an intoxicated person walking down the road at 19th and Normal Avenue, in Burley.
5:46 p.m. – Caller reported she is being harassed by a female subject in a white Dodge van, in the northwest section of Burley.
6:22 p.m. – Caller reported that someone has stolen some money from his wallet.
6:33 p.m. – An officer was summoned to the Cassia Technical Center for an incident with two female juveniles.
8:13 p.m. – A female walk-in reported she had a male with a gun walking around her property in the 900 block of Conant Avenue, in Burley.

Cassia County K9 Kuma poses with the marijuana he discovered in a suitcase on a Greyhound Bus in Burley on Wednesday, May 1.

By RENEE WELLS

The Voice

BURLEY – A Greyhound bus passenger became an inmate at the Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice Center Tuesday, May 1, after the sheriff received a call that a passenger smelled like marijuana.

Cassia County Sheriff’s deputies Sgt. Mark Merrill and Cpl. Terry Higley responded to the bus stop on West Main and walked Merrill’s K9 partner, Kuma, around the bus. The drug dog “hit” on the luggage area. Officers pulled out eight suitcases and Kuma went crazy over one particulate case.

It was opened and officers discovered 16 large bags of marijuana that were later weighed at 5.74 pounds, with a street value of $27,000.

An adult male on the bus was arrested and later charged with drug trafficking. He is identified as Romal Khair, who was traveling from Oregon to Salt Lake City, Utah.

The incident occurred in Community Policing area 2, which is Sgt. Merrill’s assigned area. Sheriff Jay Heward commended Merrill, Higley and especially Kuma for their diligence on scene in making the arrest.

Cassia County K9 Kuma poses with the marijuana he discovered in a suitcase on a Greyhound Bus in Burley on Wednesday, May 1.

By RENEE WELLS

The Voice

BURLEY – A Greyhound bus passenger became an inmate at the Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice Center Wednesday, May 1, after the sheriff received a call that a passenger smelled like marijuana.

Cassia County Sheriff’s deputies Sgt. Mark Merrill and Cpl. Terry Higley responded to the bus stop on West Main and walked Merrill’s K9 partner, Kuma, around the bus. The drug dog “hit” on the luggage area. Officers pulled out eight suitcases and Kuma went crazy over one particulate case.

It was opened and officers discovered 16 large bags of marijuana that were later weighed at 5.74 pounds, with a street value of $27,000.

An adult male on the bus was arrested and later charged with drug trafficking. He is identified as Romal Khair, who was traveling from Oregon to Salt Lake City, Utah.

The incident occurred in Community Policing area 2, which is Sgt. Merrill’s assigned area. Sheriff Jay Heward commended Merrill, Higley and especially Kuma for their diligence on scene in making the arrest.

Cassia County K9 Kuma poses with the marijuana he discovered in a suitcase on a Greyhound Bus in Burley on Wednesday, May 1.

By RENEE WELLS

The Voice

BURLEY – A Greyhound bus passenger became an inmate at the Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice Center Tuesday, May 1, after the sheriff received a call that a passenger smelled like marijuana.

Cassia County Sheriff’s deputies Sgt. Mark Merrill and Cpl. Terry Higley responded to the bus stop on West Main and walked Merrill’s K9 partner, Kuma, around the bus. The drug dog “hit” on the luggage area. Officers pulled out eight suitcases and Kuma went crazy over one particulate case.

It was opened and officers discovered 16 large bags of marijuana that were later weighed at 5.74 pounds, with a street value of $27,000.

An adult male on the bus was arrested and later charged with drug trafficking. He is identified as Romal Khair, who was traveling from Oregon to Salt Lake City, Utah.

The incident occurred in Community Policing area 2, which is Sgt. Merrill’s assigned area. Sheriff Jay Heward commended Merrill, Higley and especially Kuma for their diligence on scene in making the arrest.

The Voice photo by C. Colt Crane

Pictured is one of the Cassia County Sheriff’s Department’s new vehicles, which sport the new law enforcement logo.

By C. COLT CRANE

The Voice

BURLEY – County officials and city administrators are again discussing a police service contract for the city of Burley.

The Cassia County Sheriff’s Office provides the city of Burley with a dedicated police force of 15 officers for the city of Burley.

In the past year, the city of Burley has paid the county $1,404,000 to the county to accommodate a law enforcement presence within the city limits. Burley has no specific police force and the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office has contracted its services to the city.

During a recent city council meeting in Burley, city officials were in negotiations with the county concerning a new law enforcement contract. The county is asking for $1.5 million to provide the city of Burley with a police force.

Past years have seen a fluctuation in contract fees for Burley. In 2011, the city contracted the county’s police force for $1.5 million and in 2012 the contract fees dropped to $1.35 million. Fiscal year 2012 saw a slight increase in contract fees with $1.4 million. The county feels that a contract for $1.5 million is a fair deal for city administrators.

According to Cassia County Commissioner Paul Christensen, the law enforcement contract between the county and the city of Burley has been in place for a number of years since the mid-1980’s.

“We feel like it’s a great benefit for the community because it eliminates borders between the city and the county as far as jurisdiction,” said Christensen.

“It eliminates dual administrative costs to have a city department and a county department.”

According to County Undersheriff George Warrell, the police statistics for the county during the fiscal year 2013 the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office took 34,000 service calls of which 21,551 were in the city of Burley.

Christensen stated that the county was asking for an increase from last year’s $1.4 million budget to help balance the unpredictable costs of the Affordable Health Care act and other insurance costs for police officers.

“It gives us some room because we don’t know where Obamacare or the Affordable Health Care Act is going to put us,” said Christensen. “If premiums were to go up 20 percent, it would cost us $50,000 to cover our officers. The $1.5 million figure allows us a little bit of cushion there.”

“We’ve worked hard with the city in reaching an agreement. What we hear from the citizenry is that they see the benefit of seeing the city and the county work together with law enforcement.”

I-84 crash near Burley results in fatality

By C. COLT CRANE

The Voice

            MINIDOKA – Idaho State Police investigated a two vehicle collision on Interstate 84 at milepost 200 near the Jerome/Minidoka county border that claimed the life of a mother of two young children.

Police reports state that at approximately 2:55 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, 2013 a 2000 Dodge Caravan travelled off of the eastbound road and continued through the median to strike a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder travelling westbound along the Interstate.

The driver of the Pathfinder, Candace Redman, 36, of Poquoson, Virginia succumbed on scene to injuries sustained the crash. The driver of the Caravan, Marvin Locke, 48, of Twin Falls, was transported to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center by air ambulance.

Redman’s two children, Aaron Redman and Leila Redman, were uninjured and transported to Minidoka Memorial Hospital where next of kin was notified.

Single vehicle wrecks near Oakley

By C. COLT CRANE

The Voice

            OAKLEY  – A one vehicle crash north of here resulted in the driver being taking into custody due to suspected use of alcohol while operating the vehicle.

Matthew Gauger, 34, of Kimberly was traveling northbound on 600 west at approximately 9:49 a.m. on Sunday, June 16, 2013. Gauger fell asleep and traveled off the road where he overcorrected and lost control of the vehicle.

Gauger struck a decorative rock at which point the vehicle rolled and came to a step under a tree in a resident’s yard.

Officers responded to the scene where Gauger was checked by EMT’s. Gauger refused transport to the hospital, stating that he was uninjured. Police detected the smell of alcohol on Gauger and took him into custody.

Police reports indicate that Gauger was traveling at a speed of 57 mph at the time of the accident. Police reported finding empty and open alcohol containers at the scene. Gauger was taken to the

Cassia County Sheriff’s Office where he was booked after refusing tests to determine his blood alcohol level.

Motorcycle crash in Burley

By C. COLT CRANE

The Voice

BURLEY – A Rupert man and a Twin Falls woman sustained severe injuries on Saturday after a Burley woman pulled her vehicle in front of the pair’s three-wheeled motorcycle.

The pair was taken by air ambulance to a hospital in Utah after the collision which occurred on Bedke Boulevard in Burley.

Brent Thompson of Rupert and Maxine Anderson of Twin Falls sustained severe injuries from the crash. Reports indicate that the injuries were sustained from the waist down and both riders were thrown from the motorcycle. Bone fragments were reported to be recovered from the scene.

According to police reports, a witness saw Lucia Martinez of Burley pull her Ford Taurus in front of the motorcycle when turning onto Conant Avenue.

Martinez was transported to Cassia Regional Medical Center in a non-emergency vehicle.

The witness reported to police that Martinez had activated her turn signal and that the vehicle’s tail lights were on when he witnessed the motorcycle driving eastbound. According to police reports, the witness then saw the car turn left in front of the motorcycle. The car was knocked back five feet, said the witness.

Minidoka County Sheriff Kevin Halverson was charged Friday by the Idaho Attorney General’s office with misuse of a county financial transaction card.

By RENEE WELLS

The Voice

RUPERT – Minidoka County Sheriff Kevin Halverson was served with papers from the Idaho Attorney General Friday, charging Halverson with Illegal use of a county gas card.

Halverson allegedly used the card to purchase gasoline for a female county employee, Alicia Daniels, who works in the county’s driver’s license bureau.

According to the Criminal Complaint filed Friday, Halverson allegedly committed the crime of Misuse of public moneys by a public officer, Idaho Code 18-5701 (10), a felony, by using a county financial transaction card to purchase gasoline for other than county use.

In an affidavit accompanying the complaint, Halverson allegedly lied to the investigations officers, telling them he had never used the county’s cards for personal use, other than one time in Utah when he “accidentally purchase gas on the card,” and paid it back by personal check when it was brought to his attention.

Friday’s charges were filed following a thorough investigation by the Idaho Attorney General’s office after they were requested by Minidoka County Prosecuting Attorney Lance Stevenson in February to investigate allegations that Halverson had misused the gas card issued to him by the county.

The allegations came up when Minidoka County Clerk Patty Temple questioned the amount of fuel being used by Halverson on his card(s).

A subsequent interview by AG officials with Lt. Dan Kindig, from the sheriff’s office, verified that Halverson has been the biggest user of fuel in the sheriff’s office, despite the fact that he is in his office about 70 percent of the time and not out patrolling like the county’s deputies.

Minidoka County Commissioner Robert Moore told the investigator he considered this a “red flag.”

Investigators found that Halverson’s gas purchases were low while Daniels was out of town in December 2012 and higher when she was in town. While reviewing county records and video tapes obtained from the local Sinclair and Chevron stations, they found video proof of Halverson filling Daniels’ car tank with gas, with the dates of such videos coinciding with charges on the card(s).

The AG office also confiscated Halverson’s work cell phone and found text records indicating Halverson and Daniels were involved in conversations that appear to be more personal, and not a normal working relationship.

The texts indicated rendezvous between the two to gas for Daniel’s car, and thanked Halverson for purchasing fuel for the “carro.”

The affidavit for probable cause indicated at least 10 separate occasions where Halverson and Daniels engaged in a personal text conversation, often about getting gas for Daniel’s car, but discussing other personal things as well.

The investigation indicated Halverson used the card for this purpose on at least four occasions, causing a loss to the county of approximately $241.75, from Nov. 3, 2012, to Jan. 10, 2013.

County policy states that misuse of a county credit card is grounds for disciplinary action up to termination and/or prosecution.

Due to Halverson’s position in the county and close working relationship with the county prosecutor’s office, the attorney general’s office will be handling the entire case, Stevenson said.

Halverson is scheduled to appear in Magistrate Court in Minidoka County on July 18, 2013.

An AG spokesman said Halverson was not arrested and will be summoned to court for the above appearance.

By RENEE WELLS

The Voice

(Ed. Note: The information for this story was gathered from a digital recording to today’s hearing.)       RUPERT – In a suddenly orchestrated change of plans, Minidoka County Sheriff Kevin Halverson appeared in court Monday at a telephone hearing that preempted his July 18^th planned preliminary hearing.

A specially appointed prosecutor from the Idaho Attorney General’s office, Jason Spillman , told the court that Halverson would resign effectively immediately, as part of a plea bargain agreement that will keep other charges from being filed against him

Spillman said Halverson will also be barred from ever running for a public office in the future.

Halverson appeared and listened as the judge explained his rights, then heard from both Spillman and Halverson’s attorney, Joseph Filicetti.

They discussed the agreement, which  stipulates that Halverson will appear at a date yet to be determined for arraignment in District Court, and will plead guilty to the single count, but will accept the plea agreement that has been agreed upon by both sides.

The state is recommending a two year fixed and two year indeterminate term, with a suspended sentence and probation. The parties have yet to determine if any county jail time will be imposed.

Spillman said Halverson plans to plead guilty to one count of misuse of a county financial transaction card. He said that when the court appearance is held, they will discuss restitution and if it cannot be agreed upon, a restitution hearing will be scheduled.

As part of the agreement, the AG’s office agrees not to pursue any additional charges against Halverson in the case.

Halverson will submit to alcohol treatment and a mental health evaluation.

No date for the court hearing has been set, because Minidoka  District Judge –Brody plans to disqualify himself, so a new judge  will need to be appointed to hear the case.

Halverson turned in his resignation to the county at 4 p.m. Monday, effective as of 5 p.m.

            BOISE – Kevin Halverson, the former Sheriff of Minidoka County, pleaded guilty today to a felony charge of misuse of public moneys by a public officer, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said.  Halverson entered his plea in Fifth District Court in Minidoka County.  District Judge Robert J. Elgee accepted the plea, ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set a sentencing hearing for 10:30 AM on September 13, 2013.

            By pleading guilty, Halverson admitted he knowingly used a Minidoka County gas card to purchase fuel for personal purposes.  As part of his plea agreement with the state, Halverson resigned as sheriff on July 1, 2013, and the court may disqualify him from holding public office in the future.

In a related case, the Attorney General today charged Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office employee Alice “Alicia” Daniel with the felony crime of forgery.  The complaint alleges that between April 2012 and April, 2013, Daniel knowingly and with the intent to defraud the county made, or submitted as true and genuine, false timecards.

The court issued a summons, ordering Daniel to appear on August 15, 2013 at 9:30 AM.

Attorney General Wasden noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Halvorson and Daniel cases were investigated and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Unit at the request of Minidoka County Prosecuting Attorney Lance D. Stevenson.

By LAURIE WELCH
The Voice
BURLEY • Jose Antonio Lara hung his head September 5th as he entered a Cassia County magistrate courtroom for a trial to gauge his competency to help defend himself on a first-degree murder charge in the strangulation of his wife.
Lara, 31, was charged after his wife, Joann Lyn Lara, 25, was found strangled by a belt in their Burley home.
In August 2012, Lara was deemed mentally ill and dangerous and remanded into state custody until his competency could be restored.
During the five-hour hearing Thursday, Lara kept his head lowered and avoided eye contact except during breaks, when he tried to greet family members in the courtroom.
Cassia County Magistrate Judge Mick Hodges gave both attorneys 14 days to provide written closing arguments. No further court dates were set.
County prosecutor Al Barrus called several witnesses Thursday, including a psychologist who administered tests for IQ and to detect when someone pretends to have less ability to understand than they really have.
“I believe he is either exaggerating or providing incorrect responses to tests,” said Bill Arnold, licensed psychologist.
Arnold said Lara’s IQ tests after age 18 but before his wife’s murder measured in the 60s, indicating mild cognitive impairment.
Tests performed after he was taken into custody were in the 40s.
Even if Lara had guessed at the answers, he likely would have scored higher, Arnold said. Scores in the 40s would indicate a person much more disabled than Lara demonstrates, the psychologist said.
Barrus also called two technicians who interact daily with Lara.
Jesse Goolsby, a psychiatric technician at the treatment center where Lara is incarcerated, said he has observed Lara following directions and interacting with other people at the center.
When Lara attends restorative classes to increase his understanding of the court system, he withdraws and does not participate, Goolsby said.
“I don’t think he was putting effort into the classes,” the technician said.
Lara’s attorney, Keith Roark, cross-examined all of the witnesses but called none on Lara’s behalf.
Don Baugh, another technician at the treatment center, testified that Lara participates in many activities and has a flip-type cell phone that he uses to stay in contact with friends and family. He also owns an Xbox game that he is able to play.
Lara says he can’t read, but Baugh said he’s seen indications that Lara might have some reading skills.
Roark asked the judge to disallow Baugh’s opinion because he is not an expert, but Hodges allowed Baugh’s “lay opinion.”
Baugh said Lara was exhibiting the same behavior in the courtroom that Baugh has observed when Lara does not want to answer certain questions.
Several detectives testified that Lara demonstrated a different demeanor at the scene of the crime and after his arrest than he demonstrates now.
Blake Brumsfield, a clinical supervisor with Health and Welfare, said that in his opinion, Lara was engaging in “sub-optimal performance.”
“I think Mr. Lara is engaging in the best legal defense available to him,” said Brumsfield.