WENTWORTH — Angie Capps went to work for J. Arnold Walker Insurance and Financial Services because the job offered better hours and pay. But police, prosecutors — and a Rockingham County jury — all said Walker had other things in mind when he hired Capps.
A jury Wednesday convicted Joe Arnold Walker of Reidsville of two counts of contaminating food or drink to render one mentally incapacitated or physically helpless for the purpose of committing second-degree rape or second-degree sexual offense. Judge L. Todd Burke gave the 68-year-old Walker a three-month jail term. He will be on probation after his release and must register as a sex offender.
Prosecutors charged that Walker twice put Xanax pills in Capps’ drinks when she went to work for him in October 2007. On the second occasion, Capps left the office with the drink, called her husband and reported the incident to Reidsville police.
The state crime lab later analyzed the substance and determined it was Xanax, according to court testimony.
Walker testified he took Xanax but denied putting a 2 mg tablet in Capps’ drink. Police said Walker confessed at one point to drugging the drink. But Walker denied doing so on the witness stand.
Prosecutor Julia Hejazi said in her closing argument the police investigation revealed Walker had a history of making sexual advances and comments to former female employees. A couple of the employees testified for the prosecution.
Defense attorney Doug Hux told the jury in his closing statement that the case was more speculation than fact.
He suggested that Capps conspired with Walker’s former employees to accuse him so as to bolster a possible civil suit. “This case is about money, pure and simple,” he said.
Capps cried silently as the verdict was read. Burke said her alertness saved her from falling victim to something worse.
Walker turned down a plea deal from the state that could have gotten him probation. Burke admonished him for that, saying it would have saved everyone involved pain and anguish.
“I don’t know why you didn’t see the light in this matter, Mr. Walker,” Burke said.
Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com
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