The Law Office of Vic Carmody - Mississippi DUI Lawyer

Mississippi DUI In The News

Clinton Officer's Cases Scrutinized After Hoax
Former Officer Of Year Fired For Lying
June 20, 2003

CLINTON, Miss. -- A Clinton police officer who reported he was shot by a suspect during the weekend now says he shot himself.

Officer Tony Stallings had said he was shot several times by a fleeing suspect early Saturday morning and was saved by his bulletproof vest.

But Clinton police Chief Don Byington said there were inconsistencies in Stalling's account of the shooting and that interrogations and then a full confession led investigators to the truth.

Byington said officer Stallings has been fired from the department for lying about the shooting.

He said Stallings was not pursuing a suspect in the Lakeridge neighborhood, and he was not shot at.

Instead, Stallings shot his own bulletproof vest to make it look like he was shot in the line of duty.

Byington said it is not known why Stallings, a former Officer of the Year and three-year member of the department, fabricated the shooting.

Stallings is not facing any charges at this time, but his current and former cases are now in question.

Victor Carmody, a DUI lawyer, recieved calls from clients wondering if their cases were still valid.

"We have several current cases that we're looking at, and coming up with the proper strategy where they concern officer Stallings," Carmody said. "On the basis of what has happened, we owe it to our clients to look into cases where officer Stallings is involved, and if and when we find find things, we'll certainly bring them to the proper authorities."

Byington said he has looked into some of Stallings' cases, and has found no discrepencies, but a black cloud still hangs over the department.

"It's something we'll overcome," Byington said. "The department has a good reputation."