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Haney trial delayed
A Cocke County Criminal Court jury trial was delayed on Thursday because of a lack of jurors. Shannon Haney, 48, Holley Street, Newport was scheduled to go to trial on two counts of rape as well as sexual battery by an authority figure. The alleged victim was a 14 year-old female. But the case was delayed when only 27 prospective jurors showed up. Circuit Court Clerk Peggy Lane told the NewsSource that she contacted 68 individuals, but had earlier excused five for cause. Plans now are to call in a special jury in September to try the case. Judge Rex Henry Ogle said the lack of prospective jurors had occurred in his court, only one time previously in his 26 years on the bench. "I'm sorry for those of you that had the goodness in your souls to serve with us today. I am very disappointed in those of your fellow jurors who did not have the pride in their community to come down here and serve with you. It is a disgrace and a shame on them." And so the court delayed the trial. Judge Ogle said he will talk with his fellow judges about the situation. While Judge Ogle said he can hold a prospective juror in contempt and cite them into court, the maximum punishment that can be meted out is a $50 fine. The procedure is for those on the juror panel to call into the jurors phone in circuit court to receive information on when to be in court for a jury trial. In the past criminal court judges cautioned prospective jurors to not listen to the radio or read a newspaper while they are seated on a jury. But during questioning on Thursday, Prosecutor Tonya Thornton cautioned the panel to stay away from social media sites while serving on the jury. She expressed concern that the panelists could be tainted by information that is posted on Facebook or another social media site.
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
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