LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — A man accused of shooting at Lima police officers and injuring one is seeking to have the prosecutor removed from his case ahead of trial.
Attorneys for Emerson Jeffrey, 35, filed a motion requesting that Destiny Caldwell and her office be disqualified from prosecuting the case.
The motion argues a potential conflict of interest, stating that Caldwell’s husband serves as a third-shift sergeant with the Lima Police Department and responded to the scene of the Oct. 31 traffic stop shootout that left Bryce Metz and Jeffrey injured. The defense contends that his role as a ranking officer could influence testimony during the trial.
The filing also alleges that the prosecutor’s office does not make plea deals in cases where the alleged victims are law enforcement officers.
Caldwell disputed those claims, saying her husband did not handle any evidence related to the shooting and only directly supervises one of the officers involved. She also cited multiple cases in which plea agreements were reached in prosecutions involving crimes against law enforcement.
Jeffrey faces four counts of felonious assault, each with gun specifications, along with five additional gun-related charges.
Following the incident, seven officers were placed on standard protocol administrative leave. All have since returned to duty after investigations found no wrongdoing.
A judge is expected to rule on the motion by the end of the week.
