Chief Richard Payton

Chief Payton, no relation to the Baker family, plead no contest to the charges of dereliction of duty for the way he handled the investigation despite passing three lie detector tests. Payton was charged for not securing the junkyard property on September 3rd. the day the two dogs searched the property. Several officers would have testified on his behalf that he was not at the junkyard the day of the search. 

The lead Clinton County Detective Brian Edwards in this case was fired from the Blanchester Police Department in 1987 by Chief Payton. 

Detective Brian Edwards formed an opinion, without any indentations in the mud, something had been in the pond/mudhole that was not secured the night before.

IF the property would have been secured it would have been proven nothing was in the pond/mudhole. 

It was NOT the responsibility of Chief Payton to secure the property it would have been Clermont County. And again, Chief Payton was not there the day the dogs searched the property.

Despite the fact that the Blanchester Police Department collected 80 percent of the evidence none were called to testify. In fact, were told to stay away from the trial by the Prosecutor's office.

The Culberson family won a lawsuit against the village of Blanchester over this.