Judge Continues Rovenstine Trial
February 7, 2017 at 7:09 p.m.
By Michael [email protected]
Rovenstine’s lawyer, James Voyles, filed a motion today – just 28 minutes before the trail was set to begin.
Voyles argued that special prosecutor Nelson Chipman did not file for a time extenion on July 22 and therefore the Marshall County Prosecutor’s office no longer has jurisdiction to try the case.
Rovenstine is charged with 10 felony counts including bribery and official conduct.
Former Grace College Professor Mark Soto and martial artist Kevin?Bronson were indicted along with Rovenstine.
The charges stem from an indictment in February 2016, where Rovenstine is accused of agreeing to take $40,00 to grant Bronson special privileges in jail.
Last week, Chipman was sidelined due to health issues and the trial is being handled by his deputies.
Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed heard the motion because he had initially sought the special prosecutor for the case.
Reed said the law allowed for the court’s discretion and did not force the court to terminate the special prosecutor.
Reed denied the motion. However, Voyles requested a continuance to appeal the decision to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Special Judge Evan Roberts, who presides over the case, granted the continuance, giving Voyles thirty days to file the necessary paperwork.
Roberts said he only wants to try the case and wanted the ruling from the high court before the trial begins.
Deputy special prosecutor Tami Napier said the Indiana Supreme Court will probably take one or two months to issue a ruling.
No date has been set for the trial yet.
“We’ll be back here and we will try this case,” she said.
She said she was surprised that Voyles waited until this morning to file the motion.
“We’d be working with the defense lawyers ever since that July date.’ Napier said.
Voyles declined to comment on the case.
Rovenstine’s lawyer, James Voyles, filed a motion today – just 28 minutes before the trail was set to begin.
Voyles argued that special prosecutor Nelson Chipman did not file for a time extenion on July 22 and therefore the Marshall County Prosecutor’s office no longer has jurisdiction to try the case.
Rovenstine is charged with 10 felony counts including bribery and official conduct.
Former Grace College Professor Mark Soto and martial artist Kevin?Bronson were indicted along with Rovenstine.
The charges stem from an indictment in February 2016, where Rovenstine is accused of agreeing to take $40,00 to grant Bronson special privileges in jail.
Last week, Chipman was sidelined due to health issues and the trial is being handled by his deputies.
Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed heard the motion because he had initially sought the special prosecutor for the case.
Reed said the law allowed for the court’s discretion and did not force the court to terminate the special prosecutor.
Reed denied the motion. However, Voyles requested a continuance to appeal the decision to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Special Judge Evan Roberts, who presides over the case, granted the continuance, giving Voyles thirty days to file the necessary paperwork.
Roberts said he only wants to try the case and wanted the ruling from the high court before the trial begins.
Deputy special prosecutor Tami Napier said the Indiana Supreme Court will probably take one or two months to issue a ruling.
No date has been set for the trial yet.
“We’ll be back here and we will try this case,” she said.
She said she was surprised that Voyles waited until this morning to file the motion.
“We’d be working with the defense lawyers ever since that July date.’ Napier said.
Voyles declined to comment on the case.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092