Thread: TN-Judge Jones hears more than 100 cases Friday

More than 100 cases in ONE day! How is that possible? If the judge had an hour for lunch that means 420 minutes for the cases or an average of 4.2 minutes per case.

Judge Jones hears more than 100 cases Friday
Many set for trial next week
By TAVIA D. GREEN • The Leaf-Chronicle • April 12, 2008

Read Comments(6)Recommend
Judge Mike R. Jones had a full day Friday as more than 100 cases were heard in his courtroom, with many of them set for trial next week.


By the end of the day, which started at 9 a.m. and ended after 5 p.m., Jones said only one person remained on his trial docket for Monday.

Many guilty pleas were entered throughout the day.

Heriberto Angel, who was charged with aggravated kidnapping and sexual battery, had his charges dismissed.

Edward E. Dewerff was Angel's attorney.

According to a police report, Angel and another man, Diego Garcia, were charged on June 20, 2007, with kidnapping a neighbor and allegedly performing sexual acts on her.

According to an arrest warrant, the victim was walking past the residence of Angel and Garcia, when the men asked her where she was going.

The woman responded that she needed change for a five dollar bill, and they told her they had change and invited her inside, the report said.

Once inside, the men locked the door, and wouldn't let the woman leave, according to the report. They gave her an alcoholic beverage, took her into the bathroom and took turns performing various sexual acts on her, the warrant said.

Assistant District Attorney Chris Clark requested the charges be dismissed. Several factors, including the victim's marital status, the fact she drank beer and conflicting witness statements gave prosecution reason to believe it wasn't a strong enough case.

Horacio Valdivio Owensford
Another case involving a sexual crimes was settled before it was set to go to trial.

Horacio Valdivio Owensford, 42, who was charged with aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery.

Owensford can face up to four years in prison. His attorney, Public Defender Crystal Myers, asked for the sentence to be suspended.

Owensford's charges stem from a June 2007 arrest where Clarksville Police Department officers responded to a call at a Mexican restaurant on Dover Crossing.

Assistant District Attorney Helen Young, who prosecuted the case, said on May 6, 2007, Owensford was working as a security guard at the restaurant and volunteered to take the intoxicated victim home. Young said after getting into the car Owensford pulled the victim's dress up and sexually assaulted her and exposed himself.

The victim jumped out the car and ran barefoot into the street. A 911 call stated the woman was running into traffic and the caller feared she was trying to kill herself, Young said.

Owensford must register as a sex offender and will be on sexual offender's probation, a stricter probation restricting Owensford from a list of things including using the Internet, viewing pornography, using alcohol, drugs and being near minors other than his own children for four years.

Owensford may also be required to wear a tracking device, Jones said.

Stephano Weilacker
Two other cases were reset for a later date due to evidence issues.

Stephano Weilacker, who is charged in three separate cases with especially aggravated robbery, especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping, has a court date set for June 6.

His attorney Jordon Mathies said there is more evidence to view and it would be a "constitutional error to not do so."

Weilacker has been in jail for 21 months for allegedly being involved in a robbery that happened on June 30, 2006, with two other men who used a handgun to take two cartons of cigarettes and the contents of a cash drawer from a woman, according to the sealed indictment. They also stand accused of using the handgun to confine a man and shoot him in the legs.

David Anthony Selby, 19, and Jacobi Kevon Allen, 21, were also indicted by the grand jury for allegedly taking part in the crime.

Allen, Selby and Weilacker, who was 22 years old at the time, also faced charges for a robbery that took place a few days later on July 3, 2006.

According to previous reports the three men entered the J&D Flea Market at 200 Providence Blvd. and detained three employees using a handgun and stole more than $1,100 from one of the employees and hit him in the head and stomach according to court documents.

Curtis Dean Lilly
Curtis Dean Lilly, a 19-year-old man indicted for a robbery and assault of an 88-year-old woman was set to go to trial on April 21.

Because of a new discovery that his attorney, public defender Myers, received this week and other evidence from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations not being available, the jury trial was reset for May 19. Lilly will appear in court on May 9.

Tavia D. Green covers crime and courts. She can be reached at 245-0742 or by e-mail at taviagreen@theleafchronicle.com.

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pb ... 2/1002/rss

Some courts are like cash registers. Pay and go quickly. Fight and you will lose time and money and pay more court costs and still be found guilty.