Fun story in the Democrat-Gazette this morning about the firing of a coroner’s office worker, Yameshia Thornton, who reportedly tossed a vase at Chief Deputy Coroner Patrick McElroy as she was leaving the office. She told the D-G McElroy had disrespected her. Respect and Thornton are an interesting pairing, given the content of text messages released on her conversations with McElroy about her absences from the office.

I got a copy of the conversation from County Attorney Karla Burnett through an FOI request. I also got some additional information — the public e-mail record [many e-mails were redacted as purely personal] of fired Coroner Garland Camper, who hired Thornton originally. He certainly was a flirtatious cuss with reporters who gave him extensive coverage that ultimately came to be a factor in his dismissal by Judge Buddy Villines. He was mindful, if not mindful enough, that the public might be able to see some of his e-mails. For example:

Advertisement

CAMPER to a reporter’s note that isn’t in the FOI document: Now what was so steamy about what I said I never commented about what you ever wore even though you wore them well. See I knew not to say anything because it would be considered flirting or making a pass. If I make a pass you would know it.

REPORTER: And this is your county email. Don’t you have personal email?

CAMPER: I guess youbwill[sic] have to come and set me up a personel[sic] email

REPORTER: I know how to do it on blackberry. But you could use yahoo or something. Have you learned nothing from quillin [Ron Quillin, the former county comptroller who went to jail for misspending county money and who left a trail of steamy e-mails with a county vendor]? I’ll write you nothing I don’t want the world to see in a foia

CAMPER: Same here for now until I set up the new email. But they still can request then if they are accessed through the server or at my desk can’t they. I like the way you changed the subject. I guess that means I won.

CAMPER to another reporter:

Thank you also. I waited for 1 and a half years to be interview by you. If I can ever help you with anything feel free to call anytime.

The texts between Thornton and McElroy follow.

Advertisement

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article Taxman swoops on Dizzy’s Next article Check out some tracks from Rwake’s forthcoming album