MonticelloLive

The Drew County Quorum Court met in a special called meeting Monday night to hear a grievance filed with the county, by a terminated Detention Facility employee, Lakeisha Hawkins, who was fired for “sleeping and missing security checks.”

The meeting began with Drew County attorney Cliff Gibson, who served as moderator, telling those present about the grievance procedure.  After a roll-call of members, the terminated employee was sworn in by Court Reporter Leta Taylor, and began her testimony.

Ms. Hawkins began her story by telling the Court that on December 27, of last year, before being terminated, that she was told by an inmate that she was going to be fired, ”because of inmate complaints”. 

Detention Facility Administrator, Susan Potts, who was present for the Monday night hearing, was mentioned during Ms. Hawkins’ testimony, she referred to Mrs. Potts and said, ”She said I was asleep in a corner.”

Hawkins said that she hadn’t been written up since she started work for the county.  It was later stated that Hawkins began her job with Drew County in September of 2007. 

Mrs. Potts, during her testimony, stated that since the facility was understaffed, that she came in to fill the “booking officer” position around 2:30 a.m.  Potts told the Court that she saw Hawkins, “sitting in a chair, with her feet propped up in another chair, leaning against a counter.” 

Potts continued, “I was watching her on the (video) camera”, and later said, “I saw no movement from her until 3:52.”

“She was sleeping the entire time, until i saw her in the hallway”, Potts testified, “She missed at least 1 cell check, if not 2, that I know she didn’t make.”

The Court left the courtroom around 7:15, to go into the jury room to deliberate, since no public discussion or deliberation is allowed in the grievance process. 

During the process the Court Reporter was told that the Court wanted to see the “tape” of that night’s jail activities, and the “jail employee’s handbook”.  Ms. Potts and Sheriff Mark Gober, who were both waiting in the courtroom, told the messenger that the tape could only be viewed at the jail, where it’s taping equipment was located.  Ms. Hawkins agreed to the tape and handbook being admitted as evidence.

After seeing the evidence that they has requested, the Court returned to the jury room, voted, and returned to the Courtroom at 7:50.

The court announced their verdict by saying that Ms. Hawkins’ grievance was denied.