Lonoke Arkansas

Hmmm, about 85% of my county is Hispanic, and maybe .001% black, with the rest being caucasion, and the jury is selected at random among the residents who have CO drivers' licenses or ID cards based on when a person got or renewed them, so I can claim that I am not fairly represented? My business also gives me a reputation for both getting people out of jail, and putting them in jail. So, can a jury be proven to be impartial to any charge against me or my employees? Any attorney would tell me that I cannot find an impartial jury (or oftentimes judge), but proving it is impossible.

Anyone who does the crime should do the time, in my opinion. But, I also believe that everyone is entitled to an unbiased trial, and know that in our justice systems, that is impossible in some cases.

_________________
Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO

Proud Member of the AB Reject Club

Opening Arguments Complete in Lonoke County Trial

Lonoke -
The trial of a former Lonoke police chief, his wife and a bail bondsman began Thursday afternoon.

Jay Campbell, Kelly Campbell, and Bobby Cox are all accused in a criminal conspiracy involving drugs, sex, and money.

Thursday was an opportunity for both sides to outline their case for the jury. Arguments lasted just over two hours--but the trial itself could stretch over a month.

No cameras were allowed inside the courtroom. Lonoke county prosecutor Lona McCastlain was the first to speak to the jury, telling them this is not a complex case--and that the crimes alleged are not out of the ordinary.

They include residential burglary, theft of property and theft of drugs.

Both sides, as well as the judge, encouraged the jury to maintain an open mind and to hear the whole story before deciding the guilt or the innocence of each of the defendants.

Court resumes Friday at 9:00 a.m., when the prosecution will call its first witness.

_________________


Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light, or look the world in the face .... Marcus Antonius

I AM Some Folks "KARMA" and A MODERATOR @ FRN

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Court may have trial jury by Friday

By Ed Galucki
Staff Writer

Jury selection for the trial of former Lonoke Police Chief Jay Campbell, his wife Kelly, and bail bondsman Bobby Cox began Tuesday. Selection is expected to be completed by Friday. Trial proceedings will begin when the jury is in place.

Special Circuit Judge John Cole introduced attorneys Patrick Benca, representing Jay Campbell; Mark Hampton, representing Kelly Harrison Campbell; and John Wesley Hall, representing Cox to the pool of 81 prospective jurors.

Cole cautioned the potential jurors that, if chosen to serve on the jury, it is essential their decision is based only on evidence that is presented during the course of the trial, “without regard to anything that takes place outside this courtroom whatsoever.

“You are instructed, ordered, as a matter of fact, to have no conversation whatsoever with any person whosoever, about this case,” Cole said. Any attempts to contact them concerning the trial should be reported and “we will put a stop to that.”

Cole added that there might be “some media publicity about case.” He told potential jurors to avoid listening to or reading any of the accounts that might be broadcast or printed.

“Turn it off or leave, whatever you have to do to keep from getting that information,” he said.

After a roll call of the called pool members, Cole advised Circuit Clerk Deborah Oglesby to turn over the names of those not present to the sheriff.

“We’ll have a deputy pay them a visit to see why they were not here,” he said.

The Campbells and Cox will answer to a list of more than 70 charges in a trial expected to last six to eight weeks with possibly more than 200 witnesses subpoenaed to testify.

Standing in separate trials are former Lonoke Mayor Thomas Privett, bail bondsman Larry Norwood, and Amy Staley, a former Lonoke police department jailer. Privett faces a single misdemeanor charge of theft of services; all the others face both misdemeanor and felony charges ranging from burglary and sexual assault to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, and a charge of operating a continuing criminal enterprise.

_________________


Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light, or look the world in the face .... Marcus Antonius

I AM Some Folks "KARMA" and A MODERATOR @ FRN

Opening statements are finally heard in a high profile Lonoke County criminal trial. The defendants are the former police chief, his wife, and a Lonoke bail bondsman.

After a year of preparing their cases, the prosecution and defense attorneys finally get to start this trial. It stems around drugs, sex and conspiracy.

In a Cabot courtroom, Jay and Kelly Campbell sat side by side, on trial facing dozens of charges. A jury was seated just after 1:00 Thursday afternoon. Then the prosecution gave its opening statements.

Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney Lona McCastlain said the former police chief was the ringleader of a criminal organization dating back to 2002, when he was first hired as chief. She told the jury his organization had five goals: money, drugs, personal services, sex and gratification, and to operate undetected.

McCastlain told Today’s THV she's been preparing a long time for this day and is happy it's here.

McCastlain says, "The state is ready to go. We've worked a long time on this case. It’s a long, drawn out affair. We’re ready to start and get it over with."

The defense countered Campbell is not guilty of all he's charged with, and called some of the state's argument—smoke. Patrick Benca told the jury to keep an open mind and listen carefully to the state's witnesses.

Benca said some of the witnesses aren't credible, saying they're drug addicts, convicted felons, and have changed their stories many times.

The defense has three attorneys, all of which are happy the trial is under way.

Defense attorney Mark Hampton says, "I think it's just that, finally getting started on this trial; it's gonna be rather lengthy. I think we have a good jury panel. I think they'll be very attentive, just look forward to getting the show on the road."

The state said Kelly Campbell stole prescription drugs and jewelry from her friends and neighbors, and had sex with prison inmates.

The bail bondsman, Bobby Cos, is charged with making meth and terrorist threatening.

The defense said Jay Campbell has never used drugs and that the state has no motive. They also said he is a family man who isn't responsible for his wife's decisions.

_________________


Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light, or look the world in the face .... Marcus Antonius

I AM Some Folks "KARMA" and A MODERATOR @ FRN

Prosecutor Lona McCastlain says charges accusing the former Lonoke police chief, his wife and a bail bondsman of corrupt behavior sounds complicated. But McCastlain told jurors as trial opened that the case centers on a series of ordinary crimes such as burglary, theft of property and theft of drugs.

The sides gave opening statements Thursday, with defense lawyers saying the prosecution's case won't amount to anything. (See story link below pictures.)

Former chief Jay Campbell, his wife Kelly Campbell, and bondsman Bobby Cox were among six people charged in February 2006 as the result of a public corruption investigation. They are accused of a criminal conspiracy involving money, drugs and sex.

McCastlain says the three were part of a continuing criminal organization with five purposes: money, drugs, getting personal services from jail inmates, sexual gratification and staying hidden.

_________________


Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light, or look the world in the face .... Marcus Antonius

I AM Some Folks "KARMA" and A MODERATOR @ FRN

Prosecutor says case sounds complex, but involves simple crimes
CABOT, Ark. - The case accusing the former Lonoke police chief, his wife and a bail bondsman sounds complicated, Prosecutor Lona McCastlain told jurors Thursday, but it really just amounts to a series of ordinary crimes such as burglary, theft of property and theft of drugs.

"The complexity of the case comes from the fact that this organization operated over a period of years from 2002 until sometime in late 2005," McCastlain said in her opening statement to the jury that is hearing the case against the trio.

Former chief Jay Campbell, his wife Kelly Campbell, and bondsman Bobby Junior Cox were among six people charged in February 2006 as the result of a public corruption investigation. They were accused of a criminal conspiracy involving money, drugs and sex.

McCastlain said the three were part of a continuing criminal organization with five purposes: money, drugs, getting personal services from jail inmates, sexual gratification and staying hidden.

Campbell's lawyer, Patrick Benca, said the prosecution is counting on jurors to believe that where there is smoke, there is fire.

"Just because the state is accusing Jay Campbell of committing some crimes, that doesn't mean it happened," Benca said. "When the smoke clears, there will be no fire."

Benca also said the prosecution won't tell the whole story about its witnesses or the motives of those witnesses in testifying.

Mark Hampton, a lawyer for Kelly Campbell, described the state's case as more far-fetched than most fiction.

"The theory they are going to try to present to you is a joke," Hampton said.

He said Kelly Campbell had made bad judgments, "and you are going to hear about indiscretions she has committed. She is not proud of these things."

But he said her husband had forgiven her, and family friends and neighbors the prosecution will call as witnesses never wanted to testify.

Cox's lawyer, John Wesley Hall, asked jurors to keep in mind throughout the trial an important question: "What does this have to do with Bobby Cox?"

Hall said most of the state's case has nothing to do with Cox, he said. There aren't two crimes that can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that can be connected to Cox, Hall said, and that clears him of any link to any criminal organization.

_________________


Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light, or look the world in the face .... Marcus Antonius

I AM Some Folks "KARMA" and A MODERATOR @ FRN

Lonoke County Corruption Trial Resumes
Monday March 05, 2007 7:13pm Posted By: Scott Munsell


Testimony Underway in Lonoke County Corruption Trial

Lonoke - Monday was day three of the Lonoke corruption case against former police Chief Jay Campbell, his wife, Kelly and bail bondsman Bobby Cox.

Both sides trickled into the courtroom just before 9:00 a.m. Monday.

There were heated arguments between the defense and prosecutors over witnesses being added to the proceedings. Additional witnesses took the stand for more testimony concerning Kelly Campbell's alleged theft of prescription drugs.

Prosecutors also called on pharmacists to verify that the drugs were indeed prescribed to the alleged victims.

Tuesday prosecutors will begin discussing search warrants and items found inside the Campbell's house.

This trial is expected to last at least six weeks.

_________________


Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light, or look the world in the face .... Marcus Antonius

I AM Some Folks "KARMA" and A MODERATOR @ FRN

there are numerous articles in the papers today - unfortunately they are focusing on the witnesses (in the articles). I only posted the basic article. those that are interested in following the case and the juicy details . . . ya know where to go to find the articles.
Absolutely flippin amazing what some people are capable of doing and thinking that they are never going to be called to task.

_________________


Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light, or look the world in the face .... Marcus Antonius

I AM Some Folks "KARMA" and A MODERATOR @ FRN

It seem this is more publicized in "high-profile" professions, but you know that it happens on every level. We have to be more aware of it when it affects our profession or locality. Politics are politics, no matter where you work or what you do.

_________________
Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO

Proud Member of the AB Reject Club

Lonoke County Corruption Trial Resumes
Thursday March 08, 2007 6:42pm Reporter: Anne Pressly Posted By: Scott Munsell

Cabot - There was dramatic testimony in Cabot district court Thursday as the corruption trial of former Lonoke police chief Jay Campbell, his wife Kelly and bail bondsman Bobby Cox continues.

The state accuses Kelly Campbell of having a sexual relationship with two former jail trustees--Tim Ainsworth and Shane Scott.

Ainsworth took the stand Thursday, as did another past trustee, Andrew Baker, who is said to have photographed the chief's wife and trustee Shane Scott together.

Several suggestive photographs of the former police chief's wife and a jail trustee are claimed to have been taken by another trustee who is now back in prison for failing a drug test. Andrew Baker was sent from the Department of Correction to the minimum-security Lonoke city jail as part of the state's 309-program for good behavior.

Baker told the court that life was better in Lonoke at the city jail than in the penitentiary, testifying that it was almost like being free--and that Jay Campbell treated them fairly.

The prosecution also called Tim Ainsworth to the stand Thursday. Ainsworth was also in the 309-program in Lonoke in 2005. He told the court he became involved with Kelly Campbell during Memorial day weekend of that year. Ainsworth claims to have had sex with Campbell on five different occasions--including in the police chief's office.

Ainsworth claimed to have volunteered to return to prison after being confronted by Jay Campbell about the alleged inappropriate relationship.

Ainsworth said he kept in touch with Kelly Campbell after leaving Lonoke--exchanging letters and several photographs--before the state threatened to revoke Kelly Campbell's bond for keeping in contact with the one time trustee after her arrest last year. Ainsworth said he had not seen or heard from Campbell since.

Kelly Campbell's attorney says this was an embarrassing day for his client, but the photos and love letters show no illegal activity

_________________


Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light, or look the world in the face .... Marcus Antonius

I AM Some Folks "KARMA" and A MODERATOR @ FRN