Gadsden Police Chief John Crane, has been suspended by the Gadsden Civil Service Board, after he visited Justin Denson in the Etowah County Jail on several occasions, buying clothing for him and putting money in his jail account.

Denson is serving a prison term of 119 years after being convicted of beating his mother to death with a hammer.

According to WBRC TV Crane said those visits were strictly for spiritual guidance – and he kept them separate from his job and from the murder case however, prosecutors testified that the visits and recordings of two phone calls affected their decision to plead out Denson’s case; he could’ve faced the death penalty.

On Wednesday the Civil Service Board ruled that Crane should be suspended for 15 days, adding his actions “…may’ve negatively impacted the reputation or perceived reputation of the Gadsden Police Department.”

Reportedly ten days of the suspension will be held in abeyance with Crane serving the remainder during the last five working days of June (2013).

(WBRC TV/Fox 6)