DEFENSE RESTS Colonel John Whiting completed two days of testimony Tuesday in his trial on charges of stealing $714 from a stripper's purse during Tropical Storm Irene in August, 2011. Pool photo by Steve Szydlowski / The Providence Journal

Defense rests as police chief denies stealing from stripper

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Posted: 6/26/2012 1:22:38 PM
Updated: 6/26/2012 1:25:47 PM

Accused Police Chief John Whiting completed his testimony Tuesday in his larceny trial, the defense rested and the judge said that he would render a decision in one week. 

Whiting was the lone defense witness, and when the attorneys were through with him, Judge Daniel Procaccini, who is hearing the trial without a jury, closely questioned the suspended North Providence police chief closely for 10 minutes, about his account of the encounter last August with a stripper, a Pawtucket patrolman called to investigate his chase with the woman and her companions and others.

Whiting is charged with stealing $714 in cash he found in a purse in the SUV belonging to Justina Cardoso, 21.  She and two men fled the vehicle after a brief chase with Whiting in his town-issued Chevy Tahoe, after he said he heard and felt something being thrown at his vehicle.

The judge repeatedly asked Whiting why he did not immediately turn the money over to Patrolman John Brown at the scene, but drove a few blocks away before mentioning the cash and giving it to Brown. 

"Your honor, the only thing I can say is... I didn't steal the money, I turned it over."

The judge set Friday for the attorneys to submit written summaries of their arguments, and scheduled closing arguments for next Tuesday morning, following which he said that he would render a verdict.

Before the start of Tuesday's court session, the judge said that he received a letter from a medical doctor.  "It's clear, someone urging me to decide the case favorably toward the defendant."  He called the letter "completely inappropriate".  Judge Procaccini said that he read only the first line, refused to read the rest, ordered copies made for the defense and prosecuting attorneys, and sealed the letter in an envelope. 

"We have no idea," about the letter, said defense attorney John Harwood. 

"I thought it was important and it did take me by surprise," said Judge Procaccini.  "Its sealed in the file and that's where it will remain.  It has no effect on me whatsoever," he said.

More, with WPRO's Steve Klamkin