NEWPORT-Serious assault charges against three people who are accused in connection with an incident last August were among the 82 cases heard by the Cocke County Grand Jury this week.

During a two-day session on Monday and Tuesday, the grand jury returned 61 indictments and 12 unsealed presentments accusing defendants of criminal acts. The grand jury returned an additional five presentments, which were ordered sealed from public inspection by Circuit Judge Ben W. Hooper II until the arrest of those who are accused.

Presentments are similar to indictments because they are both ways by which to officially accuse someone of a crime. But presentments differ from indictments in that the charges originated with the grand jury instead of through warrants and preliminary proceedings in general sessions court.

The three people who were allegedly involved in the August 29 assault were charged by presentment this week with aggravated assault and attempted second-degree murder. The defendants are Derrick Lee Robinson, 22, and Ashley Marcum, 22, both of 168 Dry Fork Road, Del Rio, and Logan William Kevin Foster, 19, of Hot Springs, North Carolina.

The defendants are alleged to have assaulted Chris Jones, 30, also of Dry Fork Road, Del Rio, on August 29. As a result of the assault, Jones was flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center suffering from head and facial trauma, Cocke County Sheriff's Deputy Sheriff Joseph Owings reported at the time of the incident.

Two men were accused by presentment this week in connection with the alleged theft of property on August 8. Jessie Worthington and James Worthington are accused of vandalism, theft of property valued at more than $500, and two counts of burglary of a motor vehicle.

The charges stem from damage to property belonging to Florence Stepp, of 804 Holly Way, Bybee, and the theft of a tool set and the theft of a compact disc player and cash belonging to Gary Dugger, of 1475 River Road, according to the presentment.

 

Other Defendants

Here is a list of other defendants accused by the grand jury this week. Court records do not identify persons by age, address, or occupation, and there may be other people with the same, or similar, names.

Arraignments for those named in grand jury indictments and presentments are set for Monday, November 16, at 9 a.m. before Judge Hooper.

• Adam Lanton Edwards, who is charged by presentment with especially aggravated robbery, three counts of aggravated assault, and theft of property valued at more than $1,000. The charges stem from the theft of a motor vehicle at knifepoint from George Randy Wild, of 1407 East Shipley Ferry Road, Kingsport; a knife injury to Edward Pendergrass  of 138 Clarmont Avenue, Kingsport; an injury to Edward Hammett, of 3375 Gulf Road, Hartford; and the theft of a 1995 Ford truck, owned by Elizabeth Wild of 1407 East Shipley Ferry Road, Kingsport. All of the incidents are alleged to have occurred on August 17.

• Jimmy Lynn Webb, who is charged by presentment with driving under the influence (DUI) on July 3.

• Anna M. Steward, who is charged by presentment with robbery of Lois Wise, of 255 Senior Way, in connection with the theft of a purse  on September 2.

• Conrad Morales, who is charged by presentment with identity theft from December 2008 through March 2009. The victim is identified as Dorothie Williams, of 390 River Rest Apartments.

• Billy Byron Mitchum, who is charged by presentment with DUI on July 18.

• Dennis Boggs, who is charged by presentment with DUI, violation of the Tennessee Implied Consent Act, violation of the state open container law, driving on a revoked license, and failure to carry a driver's license on September 2.

• Gary S. Allen, who is charged by presentment with DUI on October 4.

• Steven Smith, who is charged with theft of property valued at more than $1,000 in connection with the theft of a 52-inch Samsung TV, a .410-gauge shotgun, and $200 in cash from Barnett Williams, of 781 Lehigh Drive, on September 23 and 24.

• George Carroll, who is charged with speeding, driving on a suspended license, failure to obey traffic control devices, evading arrest by motor vehicle, theft of property valued at more than $1,000, and reckless endangerment on September 11.

• Karen Grooms, who is charged with speeding and driving on a revoked license on March 17.

• Rodney Leon Hance, who is charged with domestic assault of Teresa McMahan, of 109-B Filbert Street, on October 9.

• Kelly Middleton, who is charged with theft of merchandise, identified as  sports drinks, from White's  Discount Foods, on July 21.

• Heath C. Bryant, who is charged with fourth-offense DUI, violation of the state open container law, and violation of the state financial responsibility law on July 22.

• Jessica Leshea Adair, who is charged with DUI and violation of the implied consent law on July 11.

• Randall Joe Mathis, who is charged with theft of property valued at more than $500 and aggravated burglary in connection with the  September 30 break-in of the Bonnie Holt residence at 430 Lennon Circle and the theft of jewelry, a large bottle of change, prescription medications, and 300 compact discs.

• Sheila Crum Pack, who is charged with violation of the financial responsibility law, failure to use a turn signal, and driving on a suspended license on March 1.

• Anthony H. Ball, who is charged with theft of property valued at less than $500 in connection with the theft of children's toys from the Dollar General Store at 165 Western Plaza Way on July 5.

• Kathy Dover, who is charged with driving on a revoked license on March 14.

• Gerald Burke, who is charged with second-offense or greater driving on a revoked license on August 20.

• Diane Davis, who is charged with failure to appear in general sessions court on March 11 to answer a charge of passing a worthless check.

• Melissa Foster, who is charged with failure to appear in general sessions court on June 8.

• James Kelly Moore, who is charged with failure to appear in general sessions court on July 20 to answer a driving on a revoked license charge.

• Brandi Nicole Roberts, who is charged with theft of merchandise from Wal-Mart for allegedly taking shampoo, razors, and other property on September 24.

• Nikki Nicole Garver, who is charged with theft of merchandise in connection with the theft from Wal-Mart on August 21.

• Diane Davis, who is charged with passing a worthless check valued at less than $500 on January 6.

• Melissa A. Foster, who is charged with passing a worthless check on June 4.

• Charles Owensby, who is charged with assault of Jonathan Thompson, of 116 Willowbrook Road, on August 11.

• Melissa Foster, who is charged with passing a worthless check for between $1,000 and $10,000 on November 3.

• Dale Alvin Daniels, who is charged with violation of the financial responsibility law and driving on a revoked license on March 18.

• Yvonne M. Lee, who is charged with DUI, violation of the implied consent law, violation of the state headlight law,  and violation of the financial responsibility law on August 15.

• Kenneth Hartsell, who is charged with telephone harassment on July 10.

• Gary D. Parker, who is charged with driving on a revoked license, a seat belt law violation, a registration law violation, and a financial responsibility law violation on March 9.

• Richard Green, who is charged with driving on a revoked license, speeding, and violation of the financial responsibility law on January 25.

• R.B. Toby, who is charged with violation of the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry Act on July 22.

• Thomas J. Moran Jr., who is charged with five counts of passing worthless checks in March 2008.

• James Kenny Martin, who is charged with violation of the state sex offender registry act on August 27.

• Kelly L. Higgins, who is charged with three counts of forgery of checks belonging to Charles Higgins, of 2020 Snipe Lane, New Market, in July.

• Larry D. Stanley and Michael Robinson, who are charged in separate indictments with burglary of a building and theft of property valued at less than $500 in connection with the September 8 break-in of the West End Exxon and the theft of 40 packs of cigarettes and 35  lottery tickets.

• Willie J. Webb, who is charged with DUI, an implied consent law violation, and driving on a suspended, cancelled, or revoked license on September 19.

• Michael Robinson, who is charged with aggravated robbery of Charles Price at knifepoint on September 11 and the theft of prescription medications with a knife.

• Sherry Jackson, who is charged with theft of property valued at more than $1,000 in connection with the theft of a digital camera and lenses owned by Douglas Hutchinson, of Iowa City, Iowa, on July 26.

• Melissa J. Dickerson, who is charged with two counts of theft of property valued at less than $500 and two counts of forgery of checks belonging to Donald Hance, of 196 Smith Street, on September 10.

• Alecia M. Frazier, who is charged with aggravated burglary and theft of property valued at more than $1,000 in connection with the July 28 break-in of the home of Lisa Wheeler, of 402 Humane Way, and the theft of televisions, a computer, a camera, video games, medication, and checks.

• Anthony C. Brockwell, who is charged with domestic assault involving bodily injury of Amanda Jones, of Wasilla, Alaska, on October 15.

• Jamie Marie Bryant, who is charged with driving on a revoked license, violation of the registration law, leaving the scene of an accident, violation of the financial responsibility law, and violation of the driver's license law on August 2.

• Nancy A. Johnson, who is charged with forgery of checks belonging to Angela Barnes, of 1764 Lower English Creek Road, on August 1.

• Unavee Cobble, who is charged with aggravated stalking of Kevin Flint, of 877 Graham Street, on June 5.

• Lamon Scott Templin, who is charged with theft of property valued at more than $1,000, identified as a Honda four-wheeler and trailer belonging to Robbie Brown, of 148 Robinson Street, on June 3.

• Gerald Burke, who is charged with driving on a revoked license, a light law violation, a financial responsibility law violation, and a registration law violation on August 26.

• Michael Albert Davis, who is charged with simple possession of marijuana on August 14.

• Willie J. Webb, who is charged with driving on a suspended, cancelled, or revoked license on August 11.

• Charles Owensby, who is charged with assault of Jonathan Thornton, of 116 Willowbrook Way, on August 12.

• Dustin Kent Smith, who is charged with felony jail escape on September 17.

• Melissa Jill Dickerson, who is charged with jail escape on August 27.

• Gerald Burke, who is charged with driving on a revoked license and light law violation on September 6.

• Richard Chad Campbell, who is charged with second-offense or greater driving on a revoked license on March 27.

• Bobby A. Burgin, who is charged with aggravated assault of Nina Moore, of 3009 Knob Creek Road, Bybee, with a knife and a shotgun on August 15.

• Cynthia Williamson, who is charged with driving on a revoked license and violation of the financial responsibility law on September 7.

• James Kelly Moore, who is charged with driving on a suspended license on February 27.

• Richard Green, who is charged with aggravated assault of Rhonda Green of 324 Highway 411, on September 17.

• Gary David Ball, who is charged with assault  of Randy Keith Hurley, of 1666 Allen's Chapel Road, Parrottsville, on September 20.

• Larry Scott Cashen, who is charged with theft of property valued at less than $500 and burglary of a building  in connection with the September 2 break-in of the 25-E Market, and the theft of cartons of cigarettes.

• Grant David O'Dell, who is charged with theft of property valued at more than $1,000, identified as life jackets, helmets, a boat,  and other property belonging to Rafting In The Smokies in April.

• Brady Dale Watson, who is charged with theft of property valued at less than $500 in connection with the June 10 theft of a gun belonging to Andrew Rathbone, of 560  Blue Berry Way.

 

No True Bills

The following people were named on no true bills returned by the grand jury this week. By returning a no true bill, grand jurors indicated that they found insufficient evidence or other legal reasons not to continue prosecution of a specific case.

• David Lynn Dollar, who had been accused of domestic assault and aggravated child abuse on August 1.

• Alicia Mullins, who had been accused of theft of property valued at more than $1,000 in connection with the alleged theft of a bag of clothing and other personal property belonging to Kelly Spence, no address reported.

• Todd Olden, who had been accused of three counts of aggravated assault with a gun on May 18. The alleged victims in the case are identified as Nora and Harley Herron, of 332 Whitson Drive, and Betsy Fine, of 110 Covered Bridge Way.

• Lisa Shults, who had been accused of driving on a suspended, cancelled, or revoked license on March 24.