Appeal in Police Chiefs case dismissed

Gadsden Police Chief John Crane

An Etowah county Judge has dismissed the appeal of the Gadsden Civil Service Board’s decision in a case against Gadsden Police Chief John Crane. Etowah County Presiding Circuit Judge Allan Millican ruled that Joy Bates, murder victim Nita Denson’s niece, lacked the legal standing to bring the appeal before the court. The Civil Service Board on June 12 ruled Crane was in violation of its rules when he visited Denson’s murderer and son, Justin Denson, in the Etowah County Detention Center while he was police chief. Law enforcement officials say Justin Denson in December 2009 used a sledgehammer to kill his mother. Originally charged with capital murder, he pleaded guilty in November 2012 and in January was sentenced to 99 years in prison for intentional murder. He also received two 10-year sentences for fraudulent use of a credit or debit card. Crane’s visits to Justin Denson, a high school friend of his son, began before he was hired as chief. He said they were part of his Catholic faith and that the relationship was strictly religious. Chief Crane was suspended for 15 days by the board, with 10 withheld, but has not yet served the suspension because of Bates’ appeal.