Grandfather of abducted boy testifies at trial
January 27, 2011 - 6:07 pm
A 54-year-old man who told a federal jury he delivered drugs throughout the United States as part of an international cocaine ring says he was lucky his grandson was kidnapped because it led to a government deal for his testimony.
Clemens Tinnemeyer testified Thursday in U.S. District Court that he was suicidal, homicidal and "a little crazy" after seeing a television news report that 6-year-old Cole Puffinburger had been kidnapped in October 2008.
Tinnemeyer says he didn't know what to do at first, but found a lawyer in Riverside, Calif., more than a day later and turned himself in to authorities. That led to the deal.
Four men are on trial in the case involving Cole's kidnapping and the alleged cocaine operation.
The boy wasn't harmed in the ordeal.