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Alex Cabrero ReportingA two decades old murder case is finally set for trial next month, but the investigator who worked the cold case has been fired. Detective Scott Cosgrove was let go from the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office earlier this week. Now he's worried about the case he's worked so hard on.
Cosgrove told me it was for a code of conduct violation, or at least that's what he says Box Elder sheriff Leon Jensen told him. However, he thinks the real reason is because he went to the Attorney General's office this past summer and told them that Sheriff Jensen might be involved in some criminal activity.
No charges were ever filed against Jensen, but ever since, Cosgrove says he's been punished, now fired.
Scott Cosgrove: "I felt I was right, and I'd do it again. I don't think the sheriff or any other law enforcement officer is above the law."
Former Box Elder County detective Scott Cosgrove knew he'd get some heat for reporting Sheriff Leon Jensen to the attorney generals office. He just never thought it'd come to this.
Scott Cosgrove: "From the moment I did, following the code of ethics that I follow, I've been punished at the sheriff's office. And now I've been fired."
Fired, even though one of the biggest and oldest cases in county history is set for trial next month, the 1984 murder of Perry gas station worker Bradley Perry. Cosgrove re-opened the case in 1997, followed through on old leads, and worked DNA evidence through a federal check system. It eventually led to the arrest of Wade Maughan.
Scott Cosgrove: "I worked on it for almost 10 years night and day."
He says after he reported Sheriff Jensen a few months ago, though, Jensen took him off the case.
Scott Cosgrove: "I believe taking away that case was vindictive."
Now that he's been fired...
Scott Cosgrove: "I don't know what will happen with that case."
We asked the Perry family what they think about the case now. Lee Perry, the victim's brother, told us "we feel bad for Scott. He has helped our family tremendously, and we are concerned about him no longer being on this case, but we trust the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office to bring justice."
We couldn't reach Sheriff Jensen, but chief deputy Lynn Yeates told us "Detective Cosgrove's hard work, especially with DNA evidence, led to the arrest of a suspect in this murder case. It will continue to go forward with other investigators who've been working on it."
Still, Cosgrove says it all doesn't make sense to him.
Scott Cosgrove: "I'm in a state of shock right now. I'm kind of confused, I guess, is the word to use."
Cosgrove is looking into a possible wrongful termination lawsuit. He's also looking for a job, but says when Chief Yeates moves into the sheriff's position next month, he would go back to work for the county, if they'd have him...
