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Opening statements in the Tim Monroe trial paint a very different picture of what led to Monroe’s arrest in 2008 on cocaine charges.
Monroe, 38, Ridgway, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church. The former Galatia High School athletic director and teacher was arrested April 10, 2008 at the school.
State’s Attorney Mike Henshaw depicted the trial as a novel that will unfold gradually. But essentially an undercover police officer and a confidential source went to Monroe’s residence at 822 Longley St. in Harrisburg, about 165 feet from Dorrisville Baptist Church, and purchased 0.6 grams of cocaine from Monroe on Feb. 25, 2008. The $60 transaction took place within 1,000 feet of the church, prompting charges of a Class 1 felony, Henshaw said.
Defense attorney Paul Christenson agreed the case is essentially an unfolding novel, but instead characterized the plot as a literal plot – to entrap his client into selling drugs.
“This case is full of sex, drugs and corruption,” Christenson told the jury.
Christenson said Monroe was enticed by Carolyn McGhee, the confidential informant, to deliver cocaine to undercover officer Justin Zurliene and her. Christenson also suggested a sexual relationship between McGhee and Zurliene.
McGhee had been Monroe’s housekeeper – she began working for the Illinois State Police in February 2008, Christenson said.
“He was alone, living by himself and he succumbed to what Carolyn McGhee had to offer,” Christenson said.
Monroe plans to testify in his own behalf during the case, Christenson said. “My client has never denied delivering to Zurliene and Carolyn McGhee on Feb. 25, 2008 less than 0.6 grams of cocaine,” Christenson said.
Monroe has also never denied using cocaine recreationally, Christenson said.
Christenson said much of the case hinges on a plot to protect Rodney Marcum, who is a friend of the state’s attorney and a drug dealer.
“That man (pointing to Henshaw) has the power and he is the one misusing it in this case,” Christenson said.
Police testimony
The state began presenting its case Tuesday afternoon.
Justin Zurliene, an agent with the State Police Drug Task Force, testified he went with McGhee to Monroe’s Longley Street residence to make a cocaine purchase on Feb. 25. McGhee, Monroe’s housekeeper, had arranged a purchase in advance.
McGhee had told drug task force members Holbert Boyles and Glenn Rountree she could purchase cocaine or crack from several people in Harrisburg, Rountree said.
Once inside, Zurliene and McGhee had some casual conversation with Monroe. Monroe was on the phone at least twice.
Opening statements in the Tim Monroe trial paint a very different picture of what led to Monroe’s arrest in 2008 on cocaine charges.
Monroe, 38, Ridgway, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church. The former Galatia High School athletic director and teacher was arrested April 10, 2008 at the school.
State’s Attorney Mike Henshaw depicted the trial as a novel that will unfold gradually. But essentially an undercover police officer and a confidential source went to Monroe’s residence at 822 Longley St. in Harrisburg, about 165 feet from Dorrisville Baptist Church, and purchased 0.6 grams of cocaine from Monroe on Feb. 25, 2008. The $60 transaction took place within 1,000 feet of the church, prompting charges of a Class 1 felony, Henshaw said.
Defense attorney Paul Christenson agreed the case is essentially an unfolding novel, but instead characterized the plot as a literal plot – to entrap his client into selling drugs.
“This case is full of sex, drugs and corruption,” Christenson told the jury.
Christenson said Monroe was enticed by Carolyn McGhee, the confidential informant, to deliver cocaine to undercover officer Justin Zurliene and her. Christenson also suggested a sexual relationship between McGhee and Zurliene.
McGhee had been Monroe’s housekeeper – she began working for the Illinois State Police in February 2008, Christenson said.
“He was alone, living by himself and he succumbed to what Carolyn McGhee had to offer,” Christenson said.
Monroe plans to testify in his own behalf during the case, Christenson said. “My client has never denied delivering to Zurliene and Carolyn McGhee on Feb. 25, 2008 less than 0.6 grams of cocaine,” Christenson said.
Monroe has also never denied using cocaine recreationally, Christenson said.
Christenson said much of the case hinges on a plot to protect Rodney Marcum, who is a friend of the state’s attorney and a drug dealer.
“That man (pointing to Henshaw) has the power and he is the one misusing it in this case,” Christenson said.
Police testimony
The state began presenting its case Tuesday afternoon.
Justin Zurliene, an agent with the State Police Drug Task Force, testified he went with McGhee to Monroe’s Longley Street residence to make a cocaine purchase on Feb. 25. McGhee, Monroe’s housekeeper, had arranged a purchase in advance.
McGhee had told drug task force members Holbert Boyles and Glenn Rountree she could purchase cocaine or crack from several people in Harrisburg, Rountree said.
Once inside, Zurliene and McGhee had some casual conversation with Monroe. Monroe was on the phone at least twice.
“It was in reference to, he needed a referee or umpire for a ballgame,” Zurliene said.
A CD of the transaction was played for jurors. Monroe talking to someone about referees was one of few things that could be made out. Monroe apparently hung up from his first discussion about referees and asked about the drug transaction.
“What do you wanna get? You wanna get one?” Monroe said on the tape.
Zurliene tried to purchase two grams, but Monroe said he wanted to keep one gram, according to Zurliene’s testimony. A price of $60 was arranged.
Christenson asked why Zurliene asked for the second gram and suggested the reason was to make the penalty stiffer – trafficking over one gram within 1,000 feet of a church could result in Class X felony charges, punishable by 6 to 30 years in the Department of Corrections.
“My intention in asking for the second gram was because (then) he couldn’t sell it to anyone else,” Zurliene said.
Christenson also said the state went to a great deal of expense and effort to get $60 worth of cocaine off the streets and arrest Monroe.
Christenson challenged the testimony of Boyles, who was suspended 100 days for having a sexual relationship with a confidential source -- not McGhee and not someone involved in this case. He also suggested a relationship between Zurliene and McGhee, which Zurliene denied in his testimony.
