Cell Phone Takes Center Stage At Pretrial Hearing For Former OKC Police Officer

Defense attorneys for a former Oklahoma City police officer accused of sexually abusing his adopted and foster sons are trying to prevent his cell phone from being used as evidence.

3/14/2011 Related Story: Details Released Of Abuse Allegations Against Oklahoma City Police Officer

Maurice Martinez appeared Thursday in an Oklahoma County courtroom for a pretrial hearing. His attorney submitted a motion to suppress evidence to prevent Martinez's iPhone from being entered into evidence.

8/19/2011 Related Story: Medical Proof Will Exonerate Martinez, Attorneys Say

Priscilla Helm, an inspector with the Oklahoma City Police Department, testified she seized the phone and examined its contents. During cross examination, she said she seized the phone to prevent anyone from erasing evidence from it.

Helm also testified there were text messages on the phone between Martinez and one of his adopted sons. At the time, the boy was in state custody after being removed from Martinez's home.

10/5/2011 Related Story: Former OKC Officer Accused Of Molesting Sons Wants To See Them

Prosecutors also questioned Rocky Gregory, a detective with the Sex Crimes Unit. He testified the unit received information Martinez had contact with the boy, even though he was told not to. The detective also testified he felt Martinez was trying to influence his adopted and foster children, who were potential witnesses in the case.

9/19/2011 Related Story: Bond Set For Former OKC Police Officer Charged In Abuse Case