The trial of St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery, which began Tuesday, will decide whether to permanently oust him from a position clouded by controversy. Appointed to office on January 1, Montgomery's year of service has been mired in accusations ranging from financial mismanagement to misconduct. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway initiated the effort to remove him under a six-count quo warranto proceeding.
Montgomery is currently facing federal charges that include civil rights violations, witness retaliation, and tampering. as reported by FOX 2 Now, following several days of house arrest, a federal magistrate found cause to revoke Montgomery's bond and to place him in custody on October 14. Now behind bars, the question of Montgomery's capacity to effectively manage the duties of his office has become a central issue in the trial overseen by Judge Steven Ohmer at the Civil Courts building in St. Louis.
Montgomery's legal troubles include a litany of allegations, such as the unlawful detainment of Deputy Commissioner of St. Louis City Justice Center and a licensed private security guard, failing to transport prisoners for medical treatment, and misusing public resources for personal gain. Furthermore, according to Spectrum Local News, his attorney's previous success in getting a charge of nepotism dropped by producing a paternity test has not significantly shifted the weight of the current allegations against him.
There is uncertainty over whether Montgomery will be able to personally attend the trial, as a federal judge has not yet ruled on a request to have him brought from federal custody to the courtroom. The argument presented focuses on the trial's potential impact, with his attorney stating last week that his presence is in his best interest as the named party in the case and in the public's interest, according to First Alert 4. The trial is expected to last a few days, with Judge Ohmer scheduled to make the final decision.
Amidst the unfolding legal drama, former St. Louis City Police Chief John Hayden has stepped in to fill the position as interim city sheriff following Montgomery's preliminary removal from office on October 29. This development was a direct outcome of the charges and trial that have now placed Sheriff Montgomery's career and freedom precariously at the mercy of the court's forthcoming judgement.
