Man Prosecutors Believe To Be Florida Officer's Killer Walks Free
ASSOCIATED PRESS



TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- After refusing to answer questions on the witness stand, a man prosecutors believe killed a Polk County police officer seven years ago walked out of federal court a free man.

Federal prosecutors believe Charles Andrew Fowler, 26, was the man who took a gun away from Haines City officer Christopher Todd Horner and shot him in the back of a head in a cemetery. However, he has not been indicted, and prosecutors won't talk about how they might continue.

U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich on Tuesday sentenced Fowler to time served - the time he's already spent in jail - for not showing up to a federal murder trial last week. The defense subpoenaed Fowler as a witness in the trial of Andre Paige, who was convicted of being involved in Horner's slaying.

According to prosecutors, Fowler and Paige were members of a robbery crew that killed Horner because he discovered them inside the cemetery preparing for a bank robbery.

Paige's lawyer, Daniel Castillo of Tampa, was allowed Tuesday to ask Fowler about Horner's death, but he invoked his Fifth Amendment right to not testify.

Paige was found guilty by a jury last week in Horner's slaying and is expected to get life in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 6.

A co-defendant, Christopher Gamble, 28, pleaded guilty and got a life sentence. He testified against Paige at trial.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press

He's going to help OJ search the golf courses for the real killers.

They originally said that officer committed suicide. It took them years to find those guys.

Just sounds like he hasn't been indicted yet and he has a smart lawyer who told him not to incriminate himself on the stand.

There is no statute of limitation for murder, and there is a long memory and lots of patience when it comes to cop killers.

Gee, I wonder if he can find a job?

Maybe he's a child molestor also.  That will get you a ticket to walk in Florida.

Quoted: Maybe he's a child molestor also.  That will get you a ticket to walk in Florida.

Do you ever comment on anything you actually know about, or is it always just a regurgitation of second-hand ignorance?

Originally Posted By pieceofstink: Maybe he's a child molestor also.  That will get you a ticket to walk in Florida.

Well put. You really live up to your name.

captainpooby: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quoted: Maybe he's a child molestor also. That will get you a ticket to walk in Florida. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well put. You really live up to your name.

+1

Quoted: They originally said that officer committed suicide. It took them years to find those guys.

I remember that - was stationed at MacDill when it happened.