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Hodge attorneys say former Sheriff can’t get fair trial in Whitley County
Posted On 11 Sep 2013
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Former Whitley County Sheriff Lawrence Hodge, above center, is asking that his trial on state charges be moved out of Whitley County.
Former sheriff Lawrence Hodge, who is currently serving a 15.5-year federal prison sentence, wants his trial on state corruption charges moved out of Whitley County.
Hodge is scheduled to stand trial on Oct. 29, but one of his attorneys, Gary Crabtree, filed a petition for a change of venue on Sept. 3.
"This case has received extensive publicity in Whitley County," Crabtree wrote. "The public opinion in Whitley County is that Lawrence Hodge is guilty of the charged offenses and that a severe sentence is appropriate for him.
"This opinion will affect the objective evaluation of the evidence by the jury and would deprive Lawrence Hodge of his right to a fair trial."
So far Special Judge David A. Tapp hasn’t scheduled a hearing date on the petition and Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Trimble hasn’t filed a response to the change of venue petition.
The petition includes affidavits from 15 Whitley County residents, who state that they are acquainted with the state of public opinion in Whitley County, have read Hodge’s petition for a change of venue, and "verily" believe that the statements of the petition are true.
The petitioners also state in the affidavit that they are not related to Hodge or his counsel.
"I am familiar with the case of Commonwealth vs. Lawrence Hodge and I do not believe that Lawrence Hodge can receive a fair and impartial trial in Whitley County," the affidavits all state.
Those signing the affidavits include: Teresa Skeens, Bill Skeens, Jessica Skeens, Christopher Moses, Les Moses, Louise Moses, Geneva Lowe, Tammy Powers, Johnny Moses, Joseph Moses, Gerald D. Carr, Larry Reynolds, Melissa Reynolds, Toby Moses and Leslie Carr.
A Special Whitley County Grand Jury indicted Hodge on Nov. 8, 2010, on 18 counts of violating the public trust and on three counts of tampering with physical evidence.
Hodge’s Whitley County indictment alleged that Hodge wrote himself checks totaling nearly $100,000 listed as drug buy money, but kept no records of what the funds were used for, and in the vast majority of cases presented no drug cases to the Whitley County Grand Jury.
The indictment also alleged that Hodge intentionally dealt with tax and fee money as his own and failed to make required disposition of it.
The indictment further alleged that Hodge converted seized guns for his own use, including three that he sold to a local attorney and two that he gave to his chief deputy.
In 2011, Hodge pled guilty in federal court to three felony offenses: conspiracy to effect commerce by extortion under color of official right, conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Hodge admitted that on at least three separate occasions between 2004 and 2007, he conspired with Williamsburg defense attorney Ron Reynolds to extort money from individuals that the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department charged with felony drug trafficking offenses. Reynolds pled guilty in connection with the case and served nearly two years in prison. He has also been disbarred and can no longer practice law as an attorney.
Hodge is currently incarcerated in the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Elkton, Ohio, which is a low security facility housing male offenders. He is scheduled to be released on Nov. 8, 2024.
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Hodge was found guilty and he is guilty…duh? Corrupt to the core! Nobody is jealous of him; they are just glad to be rid of him and his low down cronies…drug dealers, gun stealing liars! good riddance to bad disgusting rubbish!
A central part of the mythology of the criminal justice system is everyone is treated equally, regardless of his or her class. The concept that no one is above the law is a noble one. Like many good ideas, reality usually lags far behind the rhetoric.
In recent years Whitley County Kentucky has seen a growing criticism of the criminal justice system on the flawed premise that the criminal system itself is rigged. Proponents of this position support their argument by pointing out that it has been years now and no action on the Hodge case.
No one, it seems, is welling to discuss the role that class plays in Whitley County in determining who does and does not go to prison. If the law prohibits rich and poor alike from stealing bread (money), and both steal bread, how come only the poor go to prison for doing so?
Justice in Whitley County looms like a hippopotamus in a swimming pool where all the dinner guests are too polite to mention its existence or names like Clerk Barton, Atty. Paul Croley, Judge Ballou just to name a few.
I can document criminals “getting away with murder” this would normally be great fodder for the tough on crime crowd. But since the “criminals” are connected together in Whitley the topic is best ignored.
I can not understand this paper refusing to demand justice? I for one feel I should have my day in court. I for one support young men like Mr. Adam Sulfrige who put his life on the line for me and a better Whitley County for all.
The unspoken reality is that in Whitley County, Kentucky today there exists two systems of criminal justice. One for the wealthy and connected, which includes kid-glove investigations, lackluster prosecutions, light sentences and easy, if any, prison time. The other for the rest of us, one of paramilitary policing, aggressive prosecution, harsh mandatory sentences and hard time. Wealth, and the political connections inherent to wealth, is the determining factor in deciding which system one gets.
It has been said Whitley County has the best criminal justice system that money can buy. The class biased judge or prosecutor, by contrast, is the legal equivalent of going to the casino where the odds inherently favor the house and unlikely to change. I will place my bet on Hodge. They will never let Hodge on the stand. Hodge will get a sweet deal “meal” and the public will not be served.
Hodge comes from the same social strata and share friends and acquaintances with prosecutors and the judge that let him go me with friends the last time he was in court. Hodge will be prosecuted or judged differently than the rest of us in Whitley County that are not politically connected.
Sure! Hodge should never have his or our day in court. Hodge should get special treatment or benefits than the constituents who don’t have evidence on others in the courthouse. If I understand this newspaper Hodge should be acquitted and Adam should be ran out of town. I also can see why this newspaper is so jealous they would call for Hodge’s acquitted.
YOUR A DOUCHE P.H
HE SHOULDNT HAVE A TRIAL. HE DID WHAT HE DID TO THE PEOPLE IN WHITLEY COUNTY. PUT HIM UNDER THE JAIL AND CONCRETE HIM SO HE CANT GET OUT. THERE IS NO FAIR TRIAL. HE PUT THE SHAFT TO EVERYONE IN WHITLEY COUNTY. THE JERK DESERVES WHAT HE GETS.