ssharpJACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- Last week, Campbell County held its first criminal jury trial since the pandemic started in mid- March.
Robert Carter, 52, Rocky Top, was on trial for aggravated assault, aggravated burglary and three counts of aggravated kidnapping. He was facing 30 years in prison per count if convicted of the most serious charges. After two days of trial, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty of the majority of the crimes, but convicted him of one misdemeanor count of trespassing. Carter had served 17 months in jail awaiting trial. Since that time exceeded the maximum punishment for the trespassing conviction, he was released with time served.
Carter was represented by attorneys Bill Jones and LaTasha Wassom, both with the office of Leif Jeffers, District Public Defender.
Court room capacity for the trial was limited allowing those in the courtroom to socially distance. Masks were required for everyone and witnesses testified behind plexiglass so they could remove their masks while speaking to the jury. Jurors were also social distanced. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED- 09/23/2020- 6AM)