Special judge needed for jailer’s case

By BRAD DICKERSON
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW July 28, 2008 12:10 pm

— A special judge has yet to be set in the case against Barren County Jailer Leland Cox, who is charged with 40 counts of third-degree sexual abuse.
Jackie Radus, re-gional court administrator for the Green River Region, said she was notified late Friday that Barren County District Judge John Alexander had recused himself from the proceedings.
Since third-degree sexual abuse is a Class B misdemeanor, the case would be handled in Barren District Court.
Cox took a leave of absence from his position Friday after being arrested by the Kentucky State Police. Barren County Sheriff Chris Eaton has now assumed the duties of jailer pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.
Radus said as soon as her office receives an order from Alexander, as well as Barren Circuit Judge Phil Patton and Barren Family Judge Mitchell Nance, recusing themselves, the matter will be turned over to Chief Regional District Judge Brent Potter in Warren County, who will appoint a special judge.
“It will be up to that judge to set the arraignment date,” Radus said. “If they appoint an actual sitting judge right now, it will be according to his schedule. (If it is a) senior judge, their schedules are a little more flexible.”
On Monday morning, Eaton said he was alternating back and forth between the Bar-