''Road rage deputy'' on the street as trial approaches

Ohioans For Concealed Carry has learned that a Franklin Co. Deputy accused of aiming a gun at a Columbus cabbie and saying "I’ll shoot you dead" last May is finally going to face a jury.

When Columbus police stopped Brinkley’s car, they did not file any charges. Instead, they told the victim that he could pursue charges through the city prosecutor’s office.

When news of the incident became public, Sgt. Brent Mull told the Columbus Dispatch "that’s standard" when the offense is a misdemeanor and the police officers did not witness the incident.

But in the same article, the victim questioned whether Columbus police avoided charging Brinkley because she’s a Franklin County deputy sheriff.

"If I pulled a gun on someone, I’d be sitting in jail right now," he told the newspaper. "At the time this happened, I thought I was going to be shot to death."

And so, after a 9 month delay that has allowed a person with outstanding aggravated menacing charges to remain on the street with a gun, Deputy Tressa Brinkley's trial has been scheduled for March 7, 2005.

Ohio CHL-holders may be interested to know that if they were accused under similar misdemeanor charges of violence, Ohio law (Sec. 2923.128. (A)(3)) requires that their license to carry a concealed handgun be suspended until they are exonerated.

OFCC will continue to follow this case, and bring updates to you as warranted.