James A. Clawson, 46, of Cadiz appeared before Judge Bill Cunningham last week to enter a plea, which was not guilty. Commonwealth Attorney G.L. Ovey said a trial date has now been set for August 17 when all evidence for the commonwealth and defense will be presented before a 12 person jury.
Clawson was arrested February 8 for allegedly sexually abusing his stepdaughter.
He was taken into custody and allegedly confessed on audio and video recordings before Kentucky State Police (KSP) and Trigg County Sheriff’s Department officers. A bond was set at $2,500 by Judge William McCaslin.
Clawson’s then wife and mother of the child Teresa Clawson posted the $250 surety bond that assured Clawson’s appearance in court approximately 4 hours after the suspect has been incarcerated.
He was indicted at a recent meeting of the Grand Jury and his bond was reset at $50 thousand cash or $100 thousand property. He was again taken into custody and is currently lodged at the Trigg County Jail.
At the hearing last week, Ovey said Clawson and his attorney, Dan Hicks of Hopkinsville, issued a request to lower the bond set by Judge Bill Cunningham.
"There was a written motion filed prior to Rule Day asking for a decrease in bond," Ovey said. "My office responded opposing the decrease and the judge took it under advisement."
Ovey said the judge will issue a decision on the bond at a later time.
Clawson’s alleged confession is not an admission of guilt, Ovey said. Rather it is just one piece of evidence that the commonwealth could use during the trial phase.
He also said there has been no attempt to make a plea bargain. A plea bargain would provide a guilty plea in exchange for a negotiated sentence.
A call to Clawson’s attorney was not returned by press time.
