By Becky Manley / Staff Writer
The former Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter president and her husband pleaded guilty to forgery and theft charges in Whitley Circuit Court Tuesday.
The couple accepted plea agreements prior to their scheduled trial.
Debra Wright, 48, of London, pleaded guilty to forgery, a felony, with a recommended sentence of four years probation.
Debra Wright, who may also have to pay restitution, will be sentenced Dec. 7.
If Circuit Court Judge Daniel Ballou accepts the plea agreement, charges of theft and evidence tampering against Debra Wright will be dismissed.
After Debra Wright pleaded guilty Ballou began to ask her husband, Frank Wright, 59, standard questions asked of anyone about to plead guilty as part of a plea agreement.
When Ballou asked Frank Wright if he believed he had received adequate representation from his attorney, David Hoskins, Wright said he was not happy with the counsel he had received.
Asked to explain why he wasn’t satisfied with his attorney, Frank Wright told Ballou he respects the court and Ballou.
“I’ve known your father for 30 years,” Frank Wright said.
After more discussion concerning Debra Wright and the bank records that will need to be reviewed to determine whether a hearing is needed about the restitution she may have to pay, Ballou continued questioning Frank Wright about the counsel he had received.
“My wife and I are innocent of these charges,” Frank Wright said.
After further discussion, Frank Wright said he disagreed with the charges against his wife, referring to their long-time marriage, saying “I know what she’s done.”
Frank Wright then clarified he had no complaints about his attorney, Hoskins.
Saying he and his wife had lost their careers, Frank Wright talked about the limited income they have had since the charges were filed.
“I can’t keep doing this,” Frank Wright said. “I deliver newspapers for a living.”
Debra Wright then told Ballou the plea agreements she and her husband were accepting were presented to them that morning, not allowing them enough time to consider them.
“So it’s a little tricky when you’re making quick snap decisions,” Debra Wright said.
Frank Wright then pleaded guilty to criminal facilitation to forgery, a misdemeanor. He was sentenced Tuesday to two years probation.
Local News
Ex-shelter president pleads guilty
Dec. 7 sentencing set for forgery charge
- Local News
-
-
Police search for suspect in highway beating
It was called by some as “road rage,” but Barbourville Police say last Saturday evening’s fight at a city intersection was definitely an assault. And they are still looking for the man who police say threw the first punch.
-
Woman gets five years for drugs
In U.S. Federal Court Wednesday, Heather A. Collins, who was called by Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove as a “kind of leader for the group,” was sentenced to five years after using prescription forms to acquire various drugs.
-
Father, son rearraigned for meth charges
A son and father were rearraigned Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in London.
-
Hounds hold on
Corbin Coach Rob Ledington rolled the dice after his Redhounds took a 6-0 lead, but it paid off with an 8-7 win over Whitley County as Corbin advanced to the 50th District Championship tonight with an ace up their sleeve.
-
Drugs suspected in fatal Knox County crash
Drug use may have been a factor in a crash Monday in Knox County in which an 11-year-old boy was killed, according to Kentucky State Police Post-10 Harlan Public Affairs Officer Trooper Shane Jacobs and Sgt. Jimmy Young.
-
Marie Rader wins 89th Rep. District Primary
Republican Marie Rader won the primary election for the 89th District House of Representatives.
-
Barton wins another circuit court clerk term
Whitley County voters went with experience when it came to electing the next circuit court clerk, choosing incumbent Gary Barton, according to unofficial election results.
-
Bunch victor in 82nd House District
For incumbent State Representative Regina Petrey Bunch, the votes came in bunches Tuesday night.
-
Voter turnout higher than expected
The election day ran fairly smooth in Whitley, with the exception of several precincts losing power briefly and a few complaints regarding signs being too close to polling places.
-
Kenneth S. Stepp to face Hal Rogers in fall
Two Democrats, Kenneth S. Stepp, of Clay County, and Micheal Ackerman, of Rowan County, running for the Fifth Congressional District ran a heads-together race in the 30-county district.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Police search for suspect in highway beating
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
