Elberta announces interim police chief

ELBERTA, Alabama (WALA) - BIZARRE CASE AGAINST POLICE CHIEF

The town of Elberta is still looking for answers in the bizarre arrest of Police Chief Mickey Pledger. Investigators said the chief admitted to fabricating an attack where gunfire was involved.

Eleven-year veteran Julie Joyner has been named interim chief. She said the allegations have been hard on the small department.

"I'm still in a little shock, but we're going to move on. That's what we have to do," Joyner said.

ARRESTED FRIDAY NIGHT
 
Joyner replaces Pledger after a strange series of events. Friday evening, after investigators say he failed a lie detector test, Pledger was arrested. The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office said Pledger admitted making up an attack in February in which two shots were fired outside the police department. One of those shots went through a window into the building. There was an officer inside at the time.

Elberta Mayor Marvin Williams said the whole incident has been a shock to the town.

"It's really tough, because you put all your faith and confidence in a person and it's a let down because the community was behind Chief Pledger," Mayor Williams said.

WHY?
 
The biggest question continues to be: Why would the chief make up such a story?

FOX10 News went to Pledger's home in Spanish Fort to see if he would provide some answers himself. While there were cars in the driveway, repeated knocking brought no response.

Mayor Williams hasn't been able to get any answers either.
 
"We don't know anything,” Mayor Williams said. “We know as much as anybody else. Nobody knows."
 
Pledger is being represented by Daphne attorney David York. He had no comment on the case or the possible motives behind Pledger's admission.

Pledger was suspended by the city Friday night after his arrest. Now the mayor is trying to figure out if that suspension is with pay or without pay. Mayor Williams said he hopes it's without pay, but he'll have to talk to a lawyer first. There's nothing in the town's handbook to deal with this situation.

HEARING FRIDAY
 
Pledger will have a status hearing Friday morning in Bay Minette. Judge Bert Rice will hear evidence and determine if the case will go forward.