Atkins Tip Leads to False Arrest
March 15th, 2007 by Maria EvansDirk Moore, the man accused of ransacking the MADD offices in Dover on January 16, 2007, has been cleared of all charges related to the crime.
I’m ecstatic about it.” - Dirk Moore
I spoke with Mr Moore tonight and he said that the digital video recording from the Food Lion in Lewes got him off. It showed him going into the store scant minutes before he was allegedly throwing pamphlets around the MADD office in Georgetown. As he stated in a document sent to multiple media outlets and others last month:
“I would like to address the charge which has been brought against me by MADD office in Georgetown and Rep. John Atkins, where I was accused of ransacking the Georgetown MADD office. I did not do it! I don’t even know where the office is located. At the exact time I was supposed to have been in the MADD office in Georgetown, I was in the Village of 5 Points’ Food Lion purchasing lightbulbs for a pumphouse and money orders $220.92.†- Dirk Moore
The Georgetown Police sought Moore for the incident at the MADD office after receiving a tip from State Representative John Atkins. Upon hearing that the police were looking for him, Moore immediately turned himself in and began declaring his innocence. Mr Moore said it took prosecutors about 3 weeks to finally review the tape and clear him of the charges.
“I didn’t do it. I had to fight for my own rights.” - Dirk Moore
Which means that the guy who did it is still out there. Any other tips, Representative Atkins?
I guess I should also mention that Dirk Moore suggested the title to this article, thanks, Dirk.
March 16th, 2007 at 5:42 am
Um…
Wasn’t Rep. Atkins approached about who he thought may have been responsible, then suggested Dirk Moore because he knew Moore had an issue with MADD after Rep. Atkins’ October incident ?
I’m glad the truth was found…but do we have to leave this on Rep. Atkins’ doorstep too ?
March 16th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Let’s see.
The Detective in charge of this caper calls a meeting and says “We are at a dead end boys and we need suggestions fast. We need to bring this perp to justice before this town turns into the Wild West. No sir. There will not be any paper tossing on my watch”.
Sgt. O’Doul, the flat foot from the west side says, let’s call John. He will know who done it”.
That’s a good story.
March 16th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
I wonder if Mr. Moore will puruse a civil case against Atkins.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Now that the political prisoner-DIRK MOORE- is a free man- let’s incarcerate the Political Tyrant. I wonder if Dirk Moore used his legisaltive card to free himself?
TRASH IS FOR THE BIRDS- it’s time the Buzzard flew the coop!
March 17th, 2007 at 6:18 am
Sounds to me like it’s “pile on John Atkins” month. The way things are going in other areas of Mr Atkins’ term, you may get your wish, but this is all much ado about nothing. Don’t you people have something constructive to do with your time?
March 17th, 2007 at 7:49 am
…and the WGMD Question du Jour is “Should Rep. Atkins (resign) ?”
As of 8:45 am, 62.5% - 5 of 8 - say he should stay put. To sum up what Dev said, he called his foul, he apologized, paid his penalty for the “offensive touching” (which IMHO is a ridiculous law)…why not just move on ?
From what I can see and what I know of Rep. Atkins from my time out there and keeping in the loop via WGMD, he is doing a good job representing the people of southern Sussex. Should one night of bad decisions totally ruin him politically ?
March 17th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Pat, you and Dev are too “Liberal” for me on this Atkins issue!!!
March 17th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
The same power and influence got a guilty man out of an arrest was the same power and influence that got an innocent man arrested.
“steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal alot and they make you king” bob dylan-1985
“disagree with a politician and they throw you in jail, beat your spouse and they re-elect you”-amish electrician -2006
March 18th, 2007 at 7:36 am
Me, liberal ? Hardly.
I’m not saying he should get off totally scott free. What happened happened…there’s no turning back the clock. He paid the price for his misdeeds, he’s getting (at least) a censure from his peers at Legislative Hall.
Yes, he should receive the censure and removal from committee assignments (which he already resigned from). He’s apparently doing a good-enough job (at bare minimum) because his constituents in southwestern Sussex re-elected him - in light of all these charges. That being said, I say the STRONG reprimand and last-chance warning from Legislative Hall for now…if he even THINKS about anything like this again, then he’s out of there.
March 18th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Funny how a Democrat can totally deny their misdeeds and it’s all swept under the rug, but when a Republican messes up, owns up to it, and accepts his punishment, the Libs still want his head.
Make up your minds.
March 18th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
True…past misdeeds are done and over with, no point harping on them. BUT…if, as most of us have said, one time or another, we want honest, truthful, ethical politicians with integrity…regardless of their level…it has to start somewhere. This as good a place as any, better than most. Elect people who, thus far, can be held up without a smear in their record or egg on their faces and make sure it stays that way. If not, OUT…councilman/woman to President! If they can be ethical and honest of their own accord isn’t it our job to make believers out of them by demanding exit?
March 18th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
At least ONE person agrees with me.
This is apparently a one-time deal. If there was a pattern of this mischief on Atkins’ part, then yes, it’s time for a change.
Let me add this, regarding blaming Rep. Atkins for the Dirk Moore situation (for lack of better word)…
My wife had her hip replaced in 1994. It has to be replaced because it wore out (10-15 year life expectancy of a hip replacement). The replacement wore so badly that it actually wore into her pelvic bone, so she now has to have a bone graft done as well as the hip re-replacement.
Should we blame Rep. Atkins for that too ?
March 18th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Why wait until there is a pattern, though, Pat? And does anyone know for sure there hasn’t been? But it doesn’t really matter whether there was or not. He abused his ’status’, first of all. Whatever it was between him and his wife was their business, yes…but anyone will tell you that rule of thumb when one spouse pushes, hits or in any way illtreats the other, it may be a first time but there is no guarantee it will ever be the last. That’s two strikes against an “upstanding leader in the community”. One leads by example…not rhetoric, platitudes or promises to do/be better.
March 19th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
“This is apparently a one-time deal”
1. DUI in Ocean City- using influence to attempt to get out of situation
2. Getting back behind the wheel -after crossing into De. dispite knowing his level of intoxication.
3. Getting arrested for domestic violence.
It may have been a “one-night deal” but he made a decision to violate the law at least 3 times that night. Thats a pattern. A pattern of disrespect for his spouse and the citizens of Delaware.
TRASH IS FOR THE BIRDS…. it’s time this Buzzard flies the coop!
March 19th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
I guess what I’m getting at is this…
The man screwed up. He called his fouls. He paid his debt. He received his reprimand. Isn’t that enough ?
If he tried to cover it all up, then yes, throw the so-and-so out. But he admitted to everything, plead guilty on the charge, and owned up to everything. Sounds like a repentant man to me…
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Pat: You say he paid his debt. A driver blowing a .09 who gets arrested, loses his licence, possibly his job if he drives for a living, has fines, attorney fees, insurance skyrocketing, first offender classes and a whole sort of other inconviences pays his debt. Excuse me!! A slap on the hand does not show he has paid his debt. Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green, or other party: Send a message, you are not above the law. Throw the dui law out or enforce it.
I would like to know if anybody police officer at the communist checkpoints could tell me how many .09 drivers are set free without having their life turned upside down?