Sherry Johnston, Facing Felony Drug Charges, Shouldn't Have Left Alaska To Do Tyra, Prosecutor Says

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The Palmer District Attorney said if he had known just why Sherry Johnston needed to travel outside Alaska he would not have signed off on the trip.

Johnston, who is facing felony drug charges, left Alaska to appear on "The Tyra Banks Show" and "Larry King Live."

Prosecutor Roman Kalytiak said he thought Johnston, who is the mother of Levi Johnson who fathered a child with Bristol Palin, Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter, had something important to do that justified traveling.

Kalytiak said the way the legal motion was worded, it appeared that Johnston needed to travel for important family business. He said he now knows that was not the case.

They "didn't say she was going out of state to appear on various TV shows," he said.

Johnston, 42, appeared on the programs alongside her daughter, Mercede, 17, and 18-year-old son, Levi.

Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston's out-of-wedlock pregnancy was announced while Palin was running for vice president. The two broke up shortly after the December birth of their son, Tripp.

The Johnstons talked on the shows about the rift between their family and the Palins.

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Kalytiak said that people accused of serious crimes who are not in jail awaiting trial are sometimes allowed to travel for unusual circumstances like funerals, medical treatment or other family emergencies.

But of Johnston's trips, he said, "It appears like these appearances are something she's doing as a choice and they certainly aren't necessary to her family or her case."

In December, Johnston was charged with dealing the prescription painkiller OxyContin, a popular but highly addictive recreational drug. Her trial is scheduled to begin May 18.

Kalytiak said Johnston should be thinking about the trial and working on her defense instead of traveling.

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Comments

[Damaven]

and Sarah should have never left Alaska to do that VP'ing thing, so what. They're perfectly matched family to be or was or might be or whatever. Bah

[indy girl]

Really!---the whole dysfunctional bunch needs to stay the hell up in Alaska!

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

Until Palin came on the scene I use to want to vist my niece that lives in AK. Now I wouldn't consider spending my money to visit AK. My niece doesn't think much of her either. Not all of the people in AK are into winkie Palin.

[CJWebber]

'Kalytiak said Johnston should be thinking about the trial and working on her defense instead of traveling.­'

Working on her defense? Isn't that why you pay lawyers?

[oregonbird]

Sarah left during the last days of the legislative session. In fact, that's why the 12th ethics complaint was lodged against her. So, Kalytiak, in your opinion, should "Palin be thinking about legislation and working on her agenda instead of traveling?"

Because her lawyer -- didn't work out for her at all. Buh-bye, WAR!

[plooger]

Oh, I can't wait to hear Limbaugh spouting off about this case.

[2008CaliforniaFan]

Well... Ru.sh can speak on this subject with some Truth. Since he was con.victed of abusing the substance. I guess in this case... he is an expert.

[SoccerNana]

He won't if it will smear Palin in any way.

[LMKay66]

Nah, don't give him the ratings.

[CJWebber]

They gave her permission to leave. Now she's back. She's not a flight risk and she didn't leave the country. And, of course, she's innocent until proven guilty.

[anewearth]

Can you imagine the kind of reception Levi is in for the next time he shows up for visitation at Sarah's house?

Yikes!

[MonaLisa65]

Butler wrote in his motion that Johnston's "...childr­en have personal business to conduct outside the State of Alaska, and they need their mother's presence and participation. It is important my client be allowed to accompany her children on this trip."

That seems pretty straight-forward (as much as 'lawyer-speak' ever is, of course). I myself would have been curious as to what that business might be, but Kalytiak didn't see a legal need to ask.

Being asked to appear on a national talk show IS an unusual circumstance, and last I heard, it's not illegal to appear on TV while out on bail.

But most importantly, Mercede is only 17, she's a minor. MY mother would have had a problem with me going to New York City at that age. Most mothers would. That would be enough to 'require a parent to be there', in my book.

I agree, Palin's jammed her foot on the prosecutor's throat to make him speak out like this, so SHE won't be seen as the petty tyrant she is..

[AnnfromCA]

Nonsense. People are making up fantasies here. I'm guessing someone asked the prosecutor why he allowed someone on a felony bail leave the state.

[brt929]

She did everything right- she got permission before she went. He's just covering his butt, because the Palin machine is probably putting the screws to him.

People on bail, travel all the time with the court's permission. Hence the BAIL.

[tierone]

Yes, and the "someone" was Todd or Sarah.

He is covering his rear.

[JessWonderin]

FATHER'S RIGHTS!!!

Get a court order preventing Plain from taking HIS son out of the State!!!!

Wouldn't THAT make Palin strangle a Polar Bear cub . . . . "prevented from taking her Grandson" on the campaign circus!!!

The Alaskan Judge that issues THAT order would be re-assigned to sitting in an igloo on the Arctic Circle handling snowmobile parking ticket cases . . . .

[weatherwaxx]

Nothing is stopping Levi from getting his GED, getting a job, marrying Bristol, and moving out of Wasilla. Or even just finishing high school and getting a job.

But Palin should be barred from taking babies along as warm props ... and dragging her own kids onstage. OK, she can reproduce, big deal. So can a bunny, but you wouldn't want Roger Rabbit in the White House.

[eva belle]

So when is this circus going to the Jerry Springer show?

[MoeJava]

It's high time that Jerry Springer took his show on the road... to Alaska, and wherever there are "interesting" families to profile?

[kareemachan]

Okay, it's just now that the Attorney is covering his a$$ about this? Guess Sarah and Todd gave him an earful for letting her travel and saying such anti-Palin stuff on national TV. If he was concerned about why she traveled outside Alaska, well, gee, he always could have asked, you betcha.

[roshni]

Exactly. Sarah is making noises. I hope Levi and his entire family have a good lawyer.

[mollymac]

They do! Rex Butler is A #1 defense lawyer. Probably pro bono because he is expensive. Just a guess though.

[johnnygoodwud]

cue up the 'deliverance' soundtrack please

[indy girl]

::banjos:::

[JessWonderin]

ANOTHER not so veiled attempt by the Queen of Alaska to control "destiny" . . . she asked permission, got it . . . end of story . . . EXCEPT in the Palinland of Revenge and Retribution so common in republican circuses . . .

Why is it "OK" for the Palin Clan to wander the nation on taxpayer money to support THEIR need to "get the real story out" but not Levi? And why is the FATHER denied the rights so common in most States?

[meede]

They appeared on Tyra on April 6th and was advertised prior to that. The DA could have cancelled the order that he signed prior to them leaving Alaska as everyone was talking about it so it's not like it was a secret they were appearing on the show.

For this to come out now, displays firstly the DA making attempts to cover his arse for incompetency in that the paperwork he signed off on was prior to that. Secondly, this is Momma Palin having a temper tantrum as she's not controlling ALL the media soundbytes.

Levi is trumping Momma Palin!!

[AnnfromCA]

That's funny. You think prosecutors keep up with Tyra's guest list?

[2008CaliforniaFan]

The ADN does because they post all of Palins press statements in their paper... and they publicized Levi's appearance all over the paper.

So I guess you are implying that the Prosecutor never reads the paper that covers the Governors actions and policies. THAT doesn't sound very intelligent on His part... yu betcha

[tierone]

No, but we hope they can read. He HAD their itinerary. . . duh!

[tierone]

Here's the big hole in the prosecutor's position that we can drive an Alaskan cruise ship through: He asked for and received her complete itinerary. SO if he felt it was inappropriate travel at that point would have been the time to NOT sign off on it.

Instead, he just files it away and then somebody asks him the question, "hey, why are you letting her out of state to do these interviews that are damaging to the Governor (In Name Only)?"

THEN he back peddles and tries to blame them for asking.

Again, never mind that he gave permission.

They did not lie in the request.

Mercede is underage and it would be inappropriate for her parent not to escort her to these events.

Nice try, though, Mr. Prosecutor! (Tell GINO to do her own job and leave yours alone)

[Treeske]

One question after watching this bunch on Larry King; Is this the company a possible future President of the US keeps and who are those behind the curtain who thought the American People relate to such a trashy bunch. Any wonder the Repubs. can not find their anchor, they don't have none (said in their language) !

[IslandGyal]

Could you find an all round more inarticulate bunch of folks? You would think at least one out of them would have been able to string together some thoughtful and substantive responses to simple questions.

[weatherwaxx]

That poor baby.

[LMKay66]

Still makes me laugh when I remember her whining (because that's what her voice sounds like to me--a whine) about Obama palling around with terrorists. Look who she pals around with.

[kgb999]

Innocent until proven guilty. If the person is not a flight risk, there would be no reason to oppose the trip.

This seems to be a prosecutor who wants to silence an American for political reasons.

[rasputin999]

I blame.... I blame--Osama Bin-Laden. I don't know what part Osama played in this story, but I know he was involved--somehow.

[IslandGyal]

Yup, yup, you betcha **wink, wink**

[AnnfromCA]

That's not how it works when you're out on bail.

[Gasparilla]

Nothing to prevent her from talking in Alaska.

[weatherwaxx]

Good point. I'm sure they have conference-call facilities.