Mecham Tried to Block Probe, Official Testifies

PHOENIX — Arizona’s top law enforcement officer, testifying in the first full day of House impeachment hearings, said Wednesday that Gov. Evan Mecham tried to obstruct an attorney general’s probe of an alleged death threat by one gubernatorial aide against another.

Col. Ralph T. Milstead, director of the state Department of Public Safety, was the first witness to appear before the 10-member select committee investigating whether enough evidence exists to impeach the first-term Republican governor.

The panel focused on an alleged death threat by former prison construction chief Lee Watkins against former legislative liaison Donna Carlson and whether Mecham interfered with Atty. Gen. Bob Corbin’s investigation of the incident.