Ken Garrett, defense counsel for James S. Franklin, speaks to a witness and members of a jury during the first day of a criminal trial held within Barren Circuit Court on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
GLASGOW — Jurors heard from three witnesses during the first day of a criminal trial held in Barren Circuit Court Wednesday.
A packed courtroom was narrowed down to 14 jurors before the trial began. Three potential jurors were dismissed due to varying circumstances during the selection process.
The case stems from a significant drug investigation by the Barren River Drug Task Force.
James “Duke” S. Franklin, 42, of Horse Cave, was one of 12 arrested following the investigation. He is charged with engaging in organized crime (criminal syndicate), two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence.
The three witnesses were co-defendants, which means they were also arrested in connection to the organized crime scheme. Attorneys heard testimonies from Taryn B. Hill, Courtnie Pruitt and Ralph “Jody” McCandless.
“At the end of this trial, I’ll be asking you – after you’ve seen all of the evidence – to return a guilty verdict on engaging in organized crime, two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (first degree) for bringing that meth on Feb. 15 and May 9, 2019, and tampering with physical evidence,” said Resa Gardner, assistant commonwealth’s attorney, “for shoving that meth down his pants.”
Gardner clarified to the jury that organized crime is defined as a circumstance when three or more individuals participate in some type of crime together. Opening statements and testimonies from the witnesses then revealed a greater picture of two incidents that happened three years ago.
Franklin allegedly dropped an ounce of meth off to a home located at 311 Park Ave in early 2019. He later tried to sell methamphetamine to McCandless.
Detectives executed a search warrant at McCandless’ home located at 112 Adams Place. They found McCandless at the home in possession of methamphetamine.
He agreed to help detectives gather evidence against Franklin after he was caught. Authorities recorded phone calls between the two as they planned to meet for a meth deal at a McDonalds in Cave City. Those calls were played in court Wednesday.
“I can meet you in Cave City,” McCandless said during that recorded phone call.
Franklin could be heard on the recording.
“Alright. I’m coming out of Nashville,” Franklin said. “When I get close enough, I’ll call you. We’ll meet up in Cave City about the same time.”
Franklin’s defense was led by Ken Garrett. He asked witnesses about their involvement with Franklin. All three confirmed they had some relation to him because they had purchased methamphetamine from him. McCandless was one of those.
“After you cooperated with the police that night, did you have to go to jail?” Garrett asked.
McCandless said “no.”
He continues to serve a 15-year sentence following his guilty plea in connection to the crimes associated with this case. McCandless appeared in court Wednesday wearing an orange jumpsuit.
The other witnesses corroborated details surrounding the other incidents.
The case will resume Thursday morning at 8:30. Witnesses from Kentucky State Police’s laboratory and another accomplice are expected to testify.
