HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 51-year-old man was bound over for trial Tuesday as charged even though the victim for part of the case recanted statements he made to police.
William Cox is charged with abuse of a child, alleging inhuman corporal punishment involving his 12-year-old son. The crime allegedly occurred between Jan. 30 and Feb. 1 of this year. Police say the 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. But in court, the child claimed that officer Scott Carlton coerced him to blaming his father, saying that if he told what happened, he would be allowed to go home. He claims that he may have been hit with a toy truck by his brother which caused the black eyes.
That part of the case was reported to police when the principal at the local school the boy was attending called over concern for having the two black eyes.
In the other part of the case, Cox is charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, both 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. Told weight of the marijuana according to a KBI report was 4.98 grams. In a bedroom was THC hard candy and gummy bears and two digital scales. Cox allegedly admitted to having the marijuana, but says it was personal use, not for sale.
There was also a large amount of cash and two cash deposit receipts dated for Feb. 9 totaling $1,500. Former Drug Unit Detective Jeremy Hedges testified that Cox had told him that he had been off work for five months at the time of the search.
The defense tried to question Hedges as to why he left the sheriff’s department saying it goes to his credibility. But, the state objected saying its not relevant to this case. Senior Judge William “Buck” Lyle agreed and denied the defense the right to question Hedges on that issue.
The defense argued that the charges should be dropped, while the state argued it should be left to a jury to decide who is credible in this case. Judge Lyle agreed and the case will now move to arraignment on September 7.