A brief hearing on whether a defendant in a multi-charge sexual assault case involving someone under age is double jeopardy or a “continuing course of conduct” was held last week.
David Michael Murrow, 52, of Fentress County, was charged in a superseding indictment handed down January 2025 is accused of continuous sexual abuse of a child, three counts of statutory rape by an authority figure, sexual exploitation of a minor, sexual exploitation, incest and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
On March 3, Assistant Public Defender Lori Dowell renewed her motion claiming Murrow was exposed to double jeopardy and jurisidictional issues because at least one or more of claims are alleged to have taken place in Georgia.
Dowell said her motion was under process of review for the appeals court.
McKenzie said the court has previously ruled the charges are continuing course of conduct and that the issue could properly be brought up on appeal if a conviction takes place.
The case was continued to May 5 for status tracking.
In other cases on the docket, the following have cases in bound-over status and are continued, unless otherwise noted, to May 12 for arraignment, dismissal or new continued dates.
Bound-over
•Michael Scott Elliott, one case.
•Juan Manuel Flores, two cases, Jeff Vires appointed to represent Flores.
•Nicole Dawn Honsik, one case, Public Defender’s Office appointed to represent Honsik.
•Kachae Samirah Jackson, two cases, forfeiture and capias issued for failure to appear in court; 10 days in jail and ordered held for bond hearing.
•Mariah Elayne Johnson, one case.
•Marie Elizabeth Lazenby, one case, Public Defender’s Office appointed to represent Lazenby.
•Joseph Ray Lewis, two cases.
•Judy Lee Little, one case.
•Joshua Allen McIntire, one case.
•Mitchell Hunter Oakes, two cases.
•Angela Diane Patterson, one case.
•Benjamin Lane Reece, one case.
•Kimberly Cora Spencer, one case, Public Defender’s Office appointed to represent Spencer.
•Brandon Kevin Stepp, one case.
•Penny Marie Stokes, one case.
•Ashley Ann Turner, one case, Jeff Vires appointed to represent Turner.
•Jay Arthur Whitehead, one case.