Former Metro Councilman Loniel Greene and his cousin, Tavares Buchanan, have been found guilty of coercion of a witness, a class D felony.
Reports stated the two face a sentence of two to four years in jail for the guilty verdict from Criminal Court Judge Mark Fishburn. The ruling was made Wednesday morning, and sentencing has been scheduled for June 28, 2018.
Greene and Buchanan conspired over the source of a bond payment after Buchanan was charged with assaulting a woman in a domestic violence case. He was convicted in the case.
Recorded phone conversations were carefully analyzed by an audio expert, leading to the discovery that Greene discussed with Buchanan plans to keep the woman from testifying.
The recordings lead to the coercion charge and also helped the state prove its case for conviction.
“This case sends a strong message that coercion of a domestic violence victim is a serious problem, and our office will hold people responsible,” Assistant District Attorney Jeff George stated. “Victims need not be afraid to step forward and seek justice.”
Greene, who had been elected District 1 Councilman in September 2015, was arrested in February 2016 on the coercion charges.
