The wife of Johnson County Sheriff Jimmy Dorney has been arrested on a perjury charge.
Deputy Glenda Morrison turned herself in Friday morning at the Johnson County Detention Center, according to Chief Deputy Jerry Dorney, who is the sheriff's first cousin.
The charge stems from a court case involving a Johnson County man who was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his mother on October 10, 2012.
Morrison was serving as a bailiff during the first degree murder trial of Tommy Bowden, according to court documents. On Oct. 15, Prosecuting Attorney David Gibbons informed Judge William Pearson he had information that Morrison directly addressed the jurors about ‘Bowden’s out of court behavior and certain security arrangements which were in place to protect the jurors’ from the man, court documents state.
Morrison claimed under oath she did not have direct communication with the jurors.
Jurors later told authorities Morrison said Bowden had something on his left that could be used to calm him down if he acted up, the documents state. Bowden was wearing a shock belt when he returned for sentencing that day.
Morrison is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an Arkansas State Police investigation, according to the chief deputy. She has been released on an own recognizance, or O.R., bond.
Her court hearing is set for March 15.
Sheriff Dorney is on vacation until March 4, according to the chief deputy.