BELLEFONTE – The man accused of stalking and retaliating against a state trooper had a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Carmine Prestia.
Gregory Walker of Kissimee, Fla. was jailed on Feb. 19 following an investigation. To read a story about the background of the case, click here.
Pennsylvania State Trooper Shawn Inlow was the first to testify. He testified that he was assigned to investigate Gregory Walker’s son, Benjamin Walker, following an incident on a school bus trip to Boston, Mass. Inlow said the incident involved hazing and such.
As a result of the Boston investigation charges were also filed against Benjamin Walker in Centre County. He noted that other incidents were alleged to have occurred in other counties, but that he did not want to bring people from all over the state to testify.
Inlow touched on incidents in which Gregory Walker glared at him during the trial in Boston. He also noted that he began receiving anonymous phone calls, notes and e-mails, all of which Inlow called “very disturbing.”
Inlow said that on Marcy 14, 2007 he had a case at Central Court in Centre County. He noted that Benjamin Walker was there for a case and Gregory Walker was with him. Inlow said that he left the courtroom and went to the witness area.
While there reading a book Inlow said that Benjamin Walker was lead through with this father following. Inlow said that Gregory Walker called him a name and started into a tyrade.
Inlow testified to another incident at Pizza Hut and Adventure Video in Philipsburg. He noted that he and his family were eating at Pizza Hut. Inlow said that only after being at Pizza Hut did he realize he and his family were eating adjacent to Gregory Walker’s parents.
When they finished his wife went home and he and his son went to Adventure Video. Inlow said that while they were at the video store he noticed Gregory Walker’s vehicle back in next to his. He said he told the clerk to get ready to call the police.
Inlow said that he kept an eye on the Walker vehicle and both Gregory and Benjamin Walker to make sure they did not damage his vehicle. He said that Gregory Walker noticed him and began yelling and pumping his arms. Inlow said that Gregory Walker entered the store and began to shout at Inlow for eyeballing his son.
“I was ready to defend myself,” said Inlow.
Inlow said that Gregory Walker also brought up the issue of a girl that Inlow had allegedly raped. As part of the investigation those allegations against Inlow were shown to be false. That issue, as well as Gregory Walker attempting to prove his son’s innocence came up often.
When that incident was over Inlow had to go back to Pizza Hut to get a pizza for an in-law. He said that he ran into Benjamin Walker and a mutual friend the two shared. He said the two began to question him about his job. Inlow later testified that he apologized to Benjamin Walker for how his life had turned out.
Inlow also discussed Gregory Walker’s attendance at soccer practices that Inlow coached at. Inlow said that he has been a coach fore nearly 30 years.
“It’s my love,” said Inlow.
He noted that he had noticed Gregory Walker’s vehicle five-to-six times at the field. He said that Gregory Walker had no children that were playing at the field. Inlow said that when Gregory Walker would pull up to the fence, he would lead the children away from that area. Inlow said that Gregory Walker would stay there for 15 minutes at a time in some instances.
Inlow said that parents began voicing concerns about the situation. He said he was approached by representatives of the Philipsburg-Osceola Soccer Association. Inlow said that he was given two choices. Inlow said he opted not to continue coaching, and his son was pulled from the program as well.
“I’m not coaching soccer for the first time in 30 years,” Inlow said.
Inlow testified that he received a number of e-mails that he believed were from Gregory Walker. Many of the e-mails alleged that Inlow raped an underage girl.
When asked what affect these actions had on him, Inlow said they were “debilitating, stressful.”
“I flinch at the site of black SUV’s,” said Inlow. “I can’t even do the things I like to do.”
“I know that Greg Walker wants to hurt me,” said Inlow.
The defense questioned Inlow about the girl that Gregory Walker alleged Inlow raped and the circumstances behind that allegation.
Inlow said that he was with a friend and a girl he did not know, roughly over 20 years ago. Inlow said that his friend and the girl went off. Inlow said that as a result of being where they were he was cited for trespassing.
Rebecca Inlow testified that in 2002 she began receiving anonymous phone calls while at work. She also testified to notes being left on her vehicle.
Tpr. Kevin Garhart from Hollidaysburg testified that he examined the e-mails sent to Inlow and tracked them to an account owned by Gregory Walker. He said that a phone number listed in one e-mail was also traced to Walker.
Tpr. David Aiello, also of the Hollidaysburg barracks said that he reviewed the Internal Affairs investigations that Gregory Walker had started against Inlow. Aiello also said that he talked to the woman that Gregory Walker accused Inlow of raping. Aiello said that the woman did not know who Inlow was nor had she ever had any contact with him.
A neighbor of Inlow’s testified that he saw Gregory Walker’s vehicle pass by their homes twice.
One woman testified that in a conversation with Gregory Walker at the Philipsburg YMCA that Walker said he was going to bring Inlow down.
A woman associated with the Philipsburg Osceola Soccer Association testified that she saw Gregory Walker’s vehicle during practices three-to-four times. She indicated that she was not to approach him so as not to escalate issues. She also said that she suggested that Inlow resign as a soccer coach and noted that it was in the best interest of the children.
Another trooper testified that Gregory Walker told him that he would die before he let Inlow screw with his son again.
Gregory Walker’s attorney argued that everything his client did was because he felt his son was innocent. The commonwealth argued that the totality of the charges was the essence of stalking.
After closing arguments, Prestia dropped the felony charges. A charge of retaliation was changed to a second degree misdemeanor. Five counts of criminal use of a communication facility were dropped as well. One charge of false reports to law enforcement was bound to court, as were all other charges filed against Gregory Walker.
Gregory Walker’s attorney was less successful in his bail argument.
“I’m not going to change the bail one red cent,” said Prestia. “I believe you are dangerous.”
Gregory Walker remains in Centre County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.