Candace Baumgarter-Wallis faces life in prison if convicted of two counts of making false statements during investigative subpoena testimony.
NEWAYGO CO. -- Candace Baumgarter-Wallis was charged with two counts of making false statements during investigative subpoena testimony in the 2004 murder of 13-year-old Amanda Lankey.
Baumgarter-Wallis was arrested by Michigan State Police Wednesday and faces life in prison if found guilty of the charges.
The body of 13-year-old Amanda Lankey was discovered in June of 2004 in the Manistee National Forest near White Cloud. Lankey was from Florida and was in the area to attend her grandmother's funeral.
Perjury during investigative subpoena charges were also authorized against another individual, but that individual has not been arrested yet.
Witnesses testifying pursuant to an investigative subpoena are warned and advised that any false statement knowingly made is subject to perjury charges. At the conclusion of their testimony, witnesses are afforded an opportunity to withdraw any false statements and avoid perjury charges.
"The integrity of our judicial system depends on witnesses, who have been sworn to tell the truth, to do so. False statements in any court proceeding undermine the public’s faith in the judicial system. Alleged false statements made by a former police officer reinforce certain segments of society’s lack of trust in law enforcement. By investigating these charges, law enforcement is making the statement that they are willing to hold fellow officers accountable, and that they are committed to identifying Amanda Lankey’s killer,” said Newaygo County Prosecutor Robert Springstead.
Prosecutor Springstead would not rule out the possibility that more civilian witnesses could be charged with giving false testimony.
