Sex, Lies, and Videotapes

Jailer Matt Mutter requested a Fiscal Court jail committee meeting to discuss 'concerns' about his corrections regime. He thinks erroneously that his appearance will satisfy the Court regarding the shenanigans at the jail.

Lots of rumors are floating around about the jail, its jailer, and his minions, not the least of which are exactly the same kinds of things that brought down Mutter's predecessor. Whether there is truth to the allegations or not, the air needs to be cleared by an independent investigation, one free from any taint of influence by either the jailer or the Court.

Mutter says nothing untoward is happening with his charges. If so, an independent investigation will corroborate his story and protect him from any charge that may be levied against him or his staff during the time period in question. It is to his benefit to cooperate fully with the Court by putting aside his animus toward any of the magistrates.

Judge Greer should favor an investigation. She spent much political capital for her jail project, and she is reluctant to see her legacy sullied by another sex scandal. A full, independent investigation will clean up her legacy. She is benefited by putting aside her distaste for the questions of the Court.

If Mutter and Greer fight against an investigation, and if they fail to cooperate fully, it appears that they have something to hide, that they have not been truthful with the Court, and that another sex scandal is brewing on Samson Street. For the best county in rural America in which to live, all that would be a less than sterling bit of material for the public resume'.

If on the other hand there is something amiss at the jail, an independent investigation will expose it for what it is, magistrates will have acted to end it, and the county will not be found negligent. Negligent is one of those words with devastating consequences when it is added to a list of charges against a defendant. After paying out over a half million dollars in damages in the Cox lawsuit, the Court should be sensitive to its responsibilities regarding protecting the public purse.

If videotapes exist of misconduct at the jail, the Court should be permitted to view them in executive session to determine its path for remedies to the problems such tapes would present. Termination of the offending parties is the minimum penalty. The maximum is unthinkable as it could be a blow to the County's finances that would be the governmental equivalent of the death penalty.

Take care of your problems now, Mr. Jailer, and spare us any hint of a coverup. The voters trusted you with your job. Live up to the trust. You can make or break your career right now. Choose wisely.