State rests in misconduct case against former Pocomoke PD lieutenant
The state has rested their case against former Pocomoke Police lieutenant Lynell Green. Green is facing a charge of misconduct in office and a conspiracy charge, both stemming from a night in November in 2014. The state alleging that Green and former police chief Kelvin Sewell interfered with a car crash investigation to help a fellow Mason brother.
According to the state on Nov. 21, 2014 Douglas Matthews drove home from the Pocomoke City Mason lodge and hit two cars on Cedar St. Matthews lost a wheel in the crash, but somehow was able to continue to his home only a few blocks away. Matthews testified Monday that he panicked when he got home and remembered that he had a business card from Green in his wallet, so he gave Green a call.
After that Green allegedly called Sewell notifying him of the accident.
Special agent Timothy Frye testified that during an interview related to the case Green told him he called Sewell because Sewell was also a mason.
According to an undisputed narrative by several witnesses Green responded to Matthews' house, Sewell responded afterwards.
Frye testified that Green told him that he met with Matthews before Sewell arrived and noticed a "faint odor" of alcohol on his breath. Green allegedly told Frye that he informed Sewell of that when the former chief arrived on scene and that the two had a conversation about Matthews not being charged with a hit and run because he was a Mason.
Later in the investigation Sewell allegedly told the officer covering the case to not report it as a hit and run.
During an attempt for acquittal, the defense argued that although Green may have used poor judgment, it was Sewell who decided to order the officer not to charge Matthews with the hit and run.
The defense pointed to testimony from the officer who filed the report, who said that Green never interfered with her investigation.
Trial is set to resume Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. at the Worcester County Circuit Courthouse.
