By Joan Hershberger
Repeated protests of “I’m innocent. I can prove it,” earned Josh Latham, appearing before Union County District Court Judge George VanHook on Wednesday, several reminders to talk with his attorney, the public defender.
“I won’t be paying bond. I won’t see an attorney for two or three months,” Latham said politely, if insistently, after asking VanHook permission to speak.
VanHook asked the public defender in the court room to talk with Latham. Latham is accused of attempting to cash a fake check. On Thursday, a store owner called the bank of origin about the check and was told it was not an active account. The store owner refused to return Latham’s identification until the issue was resolved with the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Latham ran from the building and drove off, leaving his ID behind, according to the report.
Deputy Prosecutor Lee Warden suggested a bond of $150,000.
Latham asked why the bond was so high. Warden said that Latham has a previous arrest, resisted arrest, fled and was in possession of an instrument of crime.
“Those charges were dismissed. I can prove my innocence easily,” Latham said.
A trial date was set for Sept. 23 on the enforcement of his fines.
The public defender sat down and talked with Latham before he was returned to jail.
• Michael Hicks was issued a $10,000 unsecured bond requiring signatures of four registered voters. He is accused of aggravated assault and third degree battery. VanHook reminded Hicks that this was the least restrictive bond and required no money to release him from jail.
• Michael Aaron stood before VanHook with his attorney, James Bennett. Bennett argued that Aaron had not had any recent incidents and while wrong, had possessed only a small amount of a controlled substance, for personal use only.
“His family are here, his parents are. He can’t pay a high bond and if he stays in jail he will lose his job,” Bennett said.
VanHook issued Aaron a $20,000 unsecured bond requiring four registered voters’ signatures. He has a curfew of 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a work exemption.
• On Monday, Caleb Phillips, 22, charged with terroristic act and aggravated assault, was issued a $25,000 unsecured bond and a curfew.
• Marcus Waller was issued a $10,000 unsecured bond for failure to register.