by Jackie Nunnery
LANCASTER—The Lancaster County Circuit Court convened Wednesday, July 28, with the Hon. R. Michael McKenney presiding.
Elijah D. Palmer of White Stone, charged with three felony counts of aggravated sexual battery of a victim less than age 13, pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery and was sentenced to 12 months, all of which were suspended on each count. Palmer also was given 12 months supervised probation, on each charge, to begin upon sentencing and to be served consecutively. The third charge was nolle prossed.
July 30 cases
The Lancaster County Circuit Court also convened Friday, July 30, with Judge McKenney presiding.
In the case of Phillip E. Dean of White Stone, charged with two felonies for violating probation, two felonies for failing to comply with pre-trial release conditions, two felonies for homicide, and two felonies for distributing a Schedule I/II substance, third-plus offense, a jury trial was scheduled for October 27 and 28 on the two homicide and two distribution charges. A status hearing was scheduled for October 27 on the two probation violations and the two failure to comply charges.
In the case of Christopher M. Carnes of Lancaster, charged with three felonies for selling eutylone, a trial was continued and a status hearing scheduled for October 22.
In the case of Rodney E. Wiggins Jr. of Mollusk, charged with a felony for attempted first degree murder, two felony charges of shooting a firearm from a vehicle, two felonies for shooting into an occupied building, a felony for using a firearm to commit a felony-first offense, and a felony for attempting to escape without violence, trials on all charges are now set for August 27.
In the case of Raymond P. Waddy II of Weems, charged with a felony for possession of a Schedule I/II substance, the trial was continued and a status hearing scheduled for August 27.