Defendant in massive drug case wants evidence thrown out

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Attorneys for a defendant in a huge drug trafficking case involving an alleged plot to kill a Bullitt County detective have asked to throw out evidence obtained by a wiretap.

The Courier-Journal reports (http://cjky.it/1RV9q8t ) Christopher Mattingly is a former special deputy with the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office. Last September he was indicted on charges of conspiring to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and money laundering.

Prosecutors also say Mattingly discussed finding someone to kill the officer who led the investigation of him.

Mattingly’s lawyers say the wiretap used to collect evidence against him was obtained illegally through a rubber-stamp process that did not consider whether it was truly necessary.

The government says it should still be allowed to present the evidence.

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Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.