The Law: From Court to Cell?

Earl Welch, 72, is a distinguished Chickasaw Indian. Senior member of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the state's highest tribunal, he has served 32 years, been chief justice two terms. Last week Justice Welch was haled before a federal grand jury in Oklahoma City, along with retired Supreme Court Justice N. S. Corn. Result: both judges were indicted for income tax evasion—$11,063 for Corn, $13,365 for Welch. If convicted, Justice Welch will quit the bench for a cell for a maximum of 25 years, pay a possible $50,000 fine.

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