Charges Dropped Against Attorney

Glen Walker, a Coeur d’Alene attorney, is no longer facing prosecution for harboring a runaway two years ago.

Special prosecutor Rollie Watson dismissed the charge this week just when it was scheduled to go to trial.

Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas said he did not know why the case was dropped, and Watson could not be reached for comment.

“I don’t question the discretion of the special prosecutor at all,” Douglas said. Douglas said he does question Walker’s judgment in connection with the incident.

Walker spent two hours in jail on Aug. 3, 1993, after he tried to prevent authorities from taking a 12-year-old runaway into custody. At the time, Walker was representing the girl’s father, who was accused of having sex with her.

Walker claimed the girl was forced into making the accusations by her mother and came to Walker’s office to recant them. Charges for obstructing an officer were eventually thrown out for lack of evidence.

Walker was later charged with harboring a runaway. State law does not allow anyone to provide shelter to minors without the permission of the child’s parents, the state or the legal guardian.

Emergency shelter can be provided to children as long as authorities are notified in a timely manner.

, DataTimes