Grand Jury certifies election, indicts 8

By Greg Bird
birdman@tmcvoice.com

In addition to issuing seven indictments against eight individuals this month, the McCreary County Grand Jury also issued a final report on the May 21 Primary Election held in the county.
Beyond reviewing cases to assess their merits for potential future prosecution, the Grand Jury is also tasked with reviewing county elections.
In the course of their review the Grand Jury examined reports of precinct officers, the Election Commission and County Clerk Eric Haynes to determine if any evidence of potential wrongdoing was reported.
The Grand Jury concluded that no information was found that would warrant further investigation and there was no evidence of abuse or illegal activity. “The election was conducted in a lawful and legal manner with no further inquiry being required.”
Christopher Bryant, of Pine Knot, was indicted on two counts of Assault Fourth Degree, along with counts of Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon, Criminal Abuse and Unlawful Imprisonment. The indictment contends that on June 17 Bryant physically assaulted two women, causing physical injury and recklessly placing a 2-year old child in a situation causing her to be in danger of death or serious physical injury. Bryant also reportedly made his mother, one of the assault victims, sit in a chair and ignore neighbor’s calls to check on her welfare.
Patricia Tucker, of Whitley City, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument for reportedly forging names of two individuals on a General Warranty Deed on November 26.
Mark Trammell, of Whitley City, was indicted on counts of Fleeing or Evading Police, Assault Second Degree, Unlawful Imprisonment and Wanton Endangerment. The charges stem from an alleged April 11 incident where he reportedly assaulted a woman and failed to obey signals to stop from Deputy Charles Perry with a female passenger still in the vehicle who he refused to let out. Trammell reportedly drove at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, causing danger of death or serious physical injury to his passenger.
Avery Taylor, of Whitley City, and Larry Foster, of Revelo, were named in an indictment charging them with Theft by Unlawful Taking of the Value of $500 or more for allegedly taking tools and other miscellaneous items on July 3. Foster was also charged with being a Persistent Felony Offender after previous convictions in 2006.
Amanda Richardson was charged with Theft of Identity Without Consent and Giving a Police Officer False Name or Address after reportedly using personal identification information of another individual without their consent and giving Constable Cody Stephens the false information on June 17 when he was in the lawful discharge of his official duties.
Jason Baird, of Whitley City, was indicted on one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence for allegedly destroying, mutilating, concealing, removing or altering physical evidence which would have been used in an official proceeding on May 30.
James Ridenour, of Parkers Lake, was charged with Burglary First Degree, Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon and Theft by Unlawful Taking Less than $500 for reportedly unlawfully entering a residence on April 17 while carrying a deadly weapon and taking miscellaneous items.
The Voice would like to remind our readers that an indictment is not an indication of one’s guilt or innocence, but represents that enough evidence exists in a case to pursue the matter in a court of law.