Shay Baker has been removed as the mayor of Leavenworth, Ks., for urging leniency for a convicted drug dealer, the Kansas City Star reports. Baker was ousted by fellow city commissioners after an emotional policy in which she said she did not intend to disrespect the police. Commissioner Larry Dedeke, a former police officer, said he felt that Baker's letter was disrespectful to police officers and citizens. “I think that they've been slapped in the face,” he said.
Baker sent a letter supporting Billy Trinkle, a longtime friend who was indicted with 42 others as part of a massive bust by federal, state and local authorities. The indictment was thought to have taken a major cocaine operation off the streets in Leavenworth and elsewhere. Prosecutors said Trinkle, who was sentenced to 20 years, purchased “distribution quantities” of cocaine and investigators “intercepted 45 phone calls in which Trinkle was engaged in drug trafficking.” Resident Janice Eldridge told Baker, “You've held us up for national ridicule.”