Judge deciding whether to allow certain evidence at former Bradenton deputy police chief Warren Merriman's theft trial
MANATEE -- A judge is considering whether to allow evidence of similar acts reportedly committed by former Bradenton deputy police chief Warren Merriman to be revealed at his upcoming trial on theft charges.
Merriman, 43, is charged with three counts of misdemeanor petit theft. The charges say he submitted hours not completed during off-duty details, and asked a subordinate to help him with a home project while on duty.
Allegations against the 17-year Bradenton police veteran became public Sept. 8, 2014, when the city placed him on paid administrative leave. Merriman has since maintained his innocence.
In January, he was formally terminated from his position with the Bradenton Police Department.
On Wednesday, the State Attorney's Office presented witnesses who testified about other similar acts Merriman is said to have committed, while the defense argued against.
Senior Circuit Court Judge Lee Haworth said he would reserve ruling on the matter to allow him time to review the evidence presented.
The case is set to go to trial during the week of Dec. 7. Haworth indicated there may be another pretrial conference may before then.
Among those who testified was Bradenton Police Lt. William Knight who said he was intimidated about the future of his career if he didn't do what Merriman asked of him. Merriman had always outranked Knight, he said.
"I knew of his vindictive past," Knight said. "I wasn't going to get my career chopped."
In addition to saying he helped Merriman build a shed while on duty, as the charges allege, Knight also testified that he was called to Merriman's home to help move a desk hutch, hook up a DVD player and move a TV.
Knight said he questioned Merriman about submitting paid time off for the time he was helping him, but Merriman told him not to worry about it.
Defense attorney Brett McIntosh questioned Knight why he didn't submit for the paid time off, which was ultimately his responsibility.
"Because my captain (Merriman) had already told me not to. I wasn't trying to cross him," Knight said. "I did not have a problem taking comp time."
Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.
This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Judge deciding whether to allow certain evidence at former Bradenton deputy police chief Warren Merriman's theft trial ."