Sheriff Asks Indiana Lawmakers To Remove Accused Killer Councilman From Office
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Lake County Sheriff John Buncich has been trying to convince state lawmakers to remove an East Chicago city councilman who was re-elected last year, even though he has been in jail for murder since October.
Buncich, who also chairs the Lake County Democratic Central Committee, said it's ridiculous and an embarrassment to the county that Robert Battle was sworn in while in jail on murder and drug charges.
"I mean, you have an individual that's receiving full pay for his council seat, and on top of it East Chicago has the highest paid council in the area, if not the state; $43,000 a year. So that even adds to the shame part of it," he said.
Battle ran unopposed in November, and got more than 300 votes, even though he was charged in a federal drug trafficking case on Oct. 12, and was later arrested for murder, for allegedly killing gang member Reimundo Camarillo Jr. that same day, when Camarillo allegedly confronted Battle for cooperating with authorities.
Buncich he's received several calls from people disgusted that Battle remains a $42,365-a-year councilman, but the sheriff said his hands are tied, because state law allows Battle to stay in office until he resigns, pleads guilty, or is convicted.
"Unfortunately, he was on the ballot, and we couldn't remove him from the ballot, because of the time element, and he was unopposed, and surprisingly – making matters even more ridiculous – he received over 300-some votes. The majority of them knew that he was incarcerated at the time," he said.
The sheriff said some lawmakers have told him they're working on a measure that would allow Battle to be removed from office.
