Priest Testifies on Behalf of Deputy’s Character

A priest testified Wednesday to the character of a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy accused of money skimming and extortion, calling the officer a “man of justice” who would never steal or abuse another person.

“Terrell Amers is not a thief,” said Father Michael Burns, who testified that he had gotten to know the defendant when the deputy was a faithful parishioner at his church in Pomona. “I feel Terry Amers is a man of justice.”

Burns was one of several character witnesses to testify on behalf of Amers, one of seven veteran narcotics officers accused of stealing more than $1.4 million from suspected drug dealers and money launderers. Amers has also been accused of beating a convicted money launderer while the man was handcuffed, an act that Burns testified would be “impossible for him” to do.