HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The attempt by the defense to get some of the charges against a 51-year-old man dropped after the state again asked for a continuance failed Wednesday. However, that could still happen on Aug. 11 when the preliminary hearing for William Cox is again scheduled.
The state had one witness that was unavailable Wednesday, that being former Drug Unit Detective Jeremy Hedges. That involves the drug distribution part of the case.
The state was prepared to proceed on the charge of abuse of a child with both the alleged victim and a Hutchinson Police detective present. Defense Attorney Steve Osburn objected to another continuance saying there have been four already. Assistant District Attorney Daniel Gilligan says this is the first one where they asked the day of the hearing.
Senior Judge William “Buck” Lyle agreed to go ahead and continue the hearing and set it for Aug. 11 when he’ll again be covering for other judges. He told both sides that if the state doesn’t have the witnesses they need for the hearing that day, he’ll agree with a defense request to drop the charges.
Cox is charged by the state with abuse of a child, alleging inhuman corporal punishment involving a 12-year-old boy. The crime allegedly occurred between Jan. 30 and Feb. 1 of this year. Police say the little boy forgot to bring home a paper Cox needed for his taxes, leading to the alleged abuse. Cox allegedly hit the child in the face, breaking his nose and causing him to have black eyes. This crime was discovered while law enforcement was serving a search warrant for drug activity.
That includes a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute. These crimes allegedly occurred on Feb. 11.
Drug detectives alleged that in a kitchen cabinet were numerous pipes and a grinder. They also found a black plastic container that contained suspected marijuana. Found in a freezer in the garage was another black container they say also contained marijuana. Total weight was 18.7 grams. In a bedroom was THC candy and two digital scales. There was also a large amount of cash and two cash deposit receipts dated for Feb. 9 totaling $1,500.
Cox strongly denies the allegations made in the case.
We’ll keep up on this case and, if the charges are dropped, we’ll let you know.