Oakland Cop Denies Promise To Protect Bakery Head
OAKLAND (CBS/AP) - An Oakland police sergeant who handled the murder investigation of a former community group leader denies claims that he promised to protect the defendant against charges.
Former Your Black Muslim Bakery leader Yusuf Bey IV is on trial for allegedly ordering the 2007 killings of three men, including local journalist Chauncey Bailey.
In a secretly recorded police video, Bey could be heard boasting to bakery associates that Sgt. Derwin Longmire was making sure that the Bailey killing wasn't pinned on him.
Longmire took the stand Tuesday and denied ever promising Bey that he wouldn't be charged.
Prosecutors said Bey ordered Bailey' death to stop a newspaper investigation about the once-influential bakery's financial troubles.
Prosecutors have rested their case, and the defense is expected to give its opening arguments Wednesday.
Devaughndre Broussard, the star witness in the murder trial, is expected to return to court to testify as part of the defense case.
KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:
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