Hear it again: Unpacking the power of the elected sheriff

Another day of testimony is underway in the trial of Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer.

If you don't know the back story of how Troyer ended up in Pierce County court, here are the CliffsNotes:

Troyer was elected Pierce County Sheriff in 2020.

In early 2021, Troyer called an officers-only emergency line, claiming that Sedrick Altheimer, a Black newspaper carrier, had threatened his life.

Troyer has been charged with two misdemeanors for false reporting, and false statements about the encounter.

Troyer has remained the Pierce County Sheriff throughout the investigation into what happened that early January 2021 morning, and that's partly by design.

Back in June, Soundside talked with Aaron Littman, an associate professor at the UCLA School of Law. He told us the elected sheriff has power that goes relatively unchecked.

You can listen to the full interview here.