What Should Have Happened
- Text messages referenced in official reports should be preserved
- Retention policy should exist for all official communications
- Internal department matters should not be shared with civilian friends
- Investigation should be opened promptly after incident
What Actually Happened
- Pohl admitted deleting text messages referenced in his internal report
- No retention policy existed for electronic communications
- Pohl texted civilian friend Goodrich about arrest the same day
- Investigation file opened 17 days after the arrest
People Involved
Event Details
Event Summary
Matthew Pohl gave sworn testimony under oath in the civil case Jones v. St. Clair County. This deposition contained critical admissions about deleted text messages and the handling of the internal investigation.
Key Admissions
Evidence Spoliation
“Whatever text messages or phone calls that I’d referenced in my internal report, I no longer have those on my phone.”
No Retention Policy
“We don’t have a policy.”
When asked about records retention for text messages used in official investigations.
Personal Relationships
“Did you know that Marc King and Chad Cronkright were friends or buddies? To some respect.”
Information Dissemination
“Later that evening at 5:44 p.m. I texted Josh Goodrich, who I am friends with and talk daily with that Marc got an OWI.”
Significance
Captain Pohl’s deposition established:
- Evidence was destroyed - Text messages relevant to the investigation were deleted
- No policies existed to preserve communications
- Personal relationships permeated the investigation
- Information spread informally among friends before official action
The Investigation File
Pohl testified that the internal investigation file was opened on November 23, 2022 - seventeen days after the arrest occurred.