Fort gets ANOTHER continuance
SALINE CO.—If Todd Fort isn’t ready to go to trial on Sept. 19, his defense attorney Bryan Drew has to hand over $100 to Saline County State’s Attorney Mike Henshaw.
This was an open wager made between the two and actually approved by the judge, Walden Morris, during this morning’s motion hearing, a continuation of yesterday’s pre-set hearing that was supposed to be one of the last for all pending motions before Fort went to trial on August 29.
However, that date isn’t going to happen now; instead, he’s been granted another continuance, this to Sept. 19, granted on the basis that Fort, via his attorney, Drew, has managed to obtain—and retain—expert witnesses to counter the state’s experts in DNA and in a child sex abuse syndrome the state says they have no intention of bringing up at trial.
Fort is the former Saline County chief deputy and Harrisburg school’s board of education president who stands accused of 17 separate sex or official misconduct offenses after being caught with a 17-year-old intern, with whom it’s alleged he was having an affair, this occurring last summer.
He’s spent the last year in the Jackson County Jail while his attorney has asked for continuance after continuance, each on the barest of tenuous reasons, but each being granted by Morris. Today’s was that they have located Dr. Timothy Moore, an ‘expert’ in debunking Child Abuse Accommodation Syndrome, which Drew has been under the impression the state is going to use, based on something their child advocate witness, Sheryl Woodham, placed in a letter to Assistant State’s Attorney Eva Walker several weeks ago.
Since that time, the state has made it clear that they don’t intend to use that syndrome in any kind of prosecution, but Drew is damned determined that he’s GOT to have an expert on it. Henshaw scoffed at the fact that the one article submitted by Drew that this doctor has written has to do with CANADIAN law and sex crimes against children, not American…but there wasn’t much made of that.
What there WAS much made of was Drew’s witnesses that are supposed to be DNA experts, out of Missouri.
Yesterday, Drew brought up that he wanted the samples taken on July 19, 2010 from a rape kit test done on the alleged victim. Henshaw countered with “Your honor, I don’t think he wants THE samples; we wouldn’t want them to go to Mr. Drew; likely he means he wants ISP’s lab to send them for testing to his lab, otherwise we’d break the chain of custody.”
It was hard to tell if Morris was then making a sincere suggestion, or if he was being a smartass on his own when he leaned over the bench and said to Henshaw, “Alright, so you and Mr. Drew could drive together to go get the samples—?”
He was interrupted by a very emphatic Henshaw, who leaned back in his chair and told the judge “I’m not going ANYWHERE with Mr. Drew!”
It was ordered that Drew would be able to obtain his samples for his ‘experts’ in Missouri. What they intend to do with them, other than show there is present another person’s DNA besides Fort’s and the victim’s, is unknown….but apparently, Drew seems to think that it’s enough that there is another DNA trace present (which is moot, because no one else is charged, just Fort; the state doesn’t need to pursue getting any other DNA excluded; all they’re trying to prove is that Fort’s IS there….but welcome to another Duh moment from Drew, of which there should be many in the trial….if it ever gets here.)
Henshaw isn’t convinced that it’ll happen on the now-new date set of Sept 19, either.
Asked by the judge if the people would be prejudiced in any way by Fort being granted a continuance, Henshaw thought about it for a moment, and then said that they wouldn’t…..but he wondered aloud if Drew would be willing to put a $100 wager on the notion that it’ll go to trial on that date, prompting the judge to jump in on it and ask, which caused Drew to take him up on it….so we’ll see.
Short URL: http://www.disclosurenewsonline.com/?p=8702
Posted by Jack Howser
on Jul 26 2011. Filed under Breaking, Saline.
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I quess Fort will go on until he MARRIES the girl or they hope people forget about it!
Its like Gallitan County,DOBBS gets rehab,And Wenzel dont!Dobbs has family in the court house and Wenzel dont,Dobbs has a long record for drug abuse and so does Wenzel! See where im going with this?
You are so right moonrner53, but yet they tell you they don’t play favorites. The injustice in the justice system is overwhelming
Sounds like henshaw and drew are close buds….hahahaha! Anyhow I think the judge has a sense of humor about things which in ways is good…and it also sounds like both Henshaw and Morris smell a skunk in the woodpile.
Wonder if they’re letting anyone else in on this little wager? I would put my money on Henshaw. Placing a bet in a courtroom just strikes me funny for some reason. I can see Henshaw saying that though…
Then probably laughed his a$$ off when no one was looking..
He was actually pretty tickled at himself. Drew seemed taken aback that the judge jumped on it like he did. It was pretty hysterical actually.
How long has this been going on with Fort anyway? I can’t even remember any more. Wonder if “time served” might just end up being all he’ll get other than maybe a fine, which he doesn’t have a job and probably couldn’t afford to pay anyway.
Ha. I knew the ghost couldn’t stand it any longer. Got me!!! Okay, pass the sugar, would you please? I like a dab of sweetness with my tea.
Ghost got me again. Oh well.
Must be a friendly ghost….just loves pullin pranks on you.
He probably laughed his ass off in the courtroom. He’s an attorney and they are almost all dirty
No worries, O.F. The ghost and I happen to be pretty tight. He likes my company…but he always turns me loose sooner or later.
The Ghost is a parapolygamist(sp), remember? LOL…
Thats enlightening LOL
Well im glad to hear that we wuld miss you if the ghost kept ya
Hannah is probably right about them wanting to build up as much time served as possible so in the event that he is found guilty and sentenced to time, he will have most of it served in the county jail where he won’t be exposed to the crowd that he would be thrown in with in prison, unless segregated. This is a state and not federal case, right?
Oh Hannah, the Ghost gets me each and every time for some reason.
Maybe the ghost grabs you because you’re a “bad boy”, Dennis. Ha. Just teasing. I will say I’m not expecting any “long-term” sentencing for Fort myself. Nothing to base it on really, just sort of a gut feeling. And he would have to be segregated from the other prisoners, would he not? You know more about that kind of thing than I do, Dennis. Wonder about Raymond Martin too? Is he apart from the rest of them dudes?
@Hannah: Raymondo has been moved to California….I keep needing to put up a post about it, but Ang is working on another project right now that requires our full attention….I’ll see what I can do about the latest in the Raymondo story, it’s had some turns & twists.
hows the OP goin for raymondo jr
Don’t know….we won’t be back there for another week at least. If there’s anything breaking, we’ll get it on here!
I knew I could depend on you…the bestus useful mammal I know.
Jack, If they flew him to California, I wonder why they wouldn’t fly him to Gallatin Co.for his charges there? Or did they and I missed it somehow?
@Sweet: The layover was too long….lol
Jack & Ang, Another WONDERFUL print edition! For anyone and everyone who doesn’t get it, YOU SHOULD!! It is soooo worth your money to subscribe or pick one up if you have a near-by vendor.
Hannah, I figure Fort will have to be either in Segregation or get a new name. Otherwise someone will find out that he is an ex-lawman and prison is not a friendly place for ex-lawmen. I know in Texas they have a whole wing of a cellhouse where they keep former police officers and former prison guards that are now inmates. It wouldn’t matter that you might have been the fairest cop and only helped people while being a cop, being an ex-cop in prison will earn you a shank in your heart. That is an unforgivable sin.
Oh, you know I ain’t a bad boy, ask Sweets, she knows me.
Hannah, I know you were just teasing Dennis, but he honestly is a Great guy. Very genuine, kind, sweet, great sense of humor and nice to be around. He is such a gentleman that while we were eating, he started to tell a story to Jack. Since Ang & I were within hearing distance, he didn’t want to. Naturally, Ang & I said he might as well cuz Jack would just tell her then she would tell me and I’d pass it around the table..
As we were leaving he was talking to my husband..I didn’t hear what he said, but I asked my husband later(Yeah, I’m nosey like that ;)). He told me Dennis was asking if it was okay to give me a hug? I thought that was so sweet & very respectful! Am I making you blush yet Dennis? Sorry if I am, but it’s all true! We had a great time with everyone we had lunch with that day!
Hey, Sweets…glad the ghost turned you loose. Yeah, I have no doubt Dennis is a very nice guy and all that you say. If he wasn’t, I don’t think Jack and Ang would have anything to do with him. And a true gentlemen.
I was teasing you about the “bad boy”, Dennis, but I’m sure you knew that. If we can’t kid and have a little fun on here between all the crap that we read about, then it’s going to be a sad day for us…don’t you think?
The Ghost grabbed my comment..
It’ll show up soon though.
Good afternoon,Ghost! Will you please release me? I didn’t say any no-no words, I don’t think.
May cause Dennis to blush a lil bit, but I was good, I PROMISE!!
Hannah, Hey lady, How ya doin? Yeah, we all know you were just teasing Dennis and I’m sure he does too! Deff, Jack and Ang wouldn’t have anything to do with him if he wasn’t a good guy! I’m still so glad you’re back on here…YAAAAHHHH!!
Hannah, he(the ghost) got me again…sigh..oh well, he’ll let me go soon. I can only be tolerated for so long…even by Ghost’s..
Sweets & Hannah, I don’t know if it is because I am so sweet or what but this ghost gets me each and every time!
Dennis, It is because you’re so sweet, I’m sure, but the ghost probably enjoys your company too!
And, now…..he just grabbed my comment to you.
I think Raymondo is on a tour of the USA!
Hes in a better place than we are…no bills, three hot, a cot, tv and all the other luxuries afforded to them by us the tax payers
Old Fart, that sort of reminds me of the story of an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman drinking in a pub. The Englishman tells of a pub where every third drink is free. The Scotsman tells of a pub where every other drink is free.
The Irishman says “I know of a pub where every drink is free and at the end of the night, you go upstairs and have all the sex you want.”
The Englishman and Scotsman look at him in amazement and say “There really is such a pub? You are not lying, it is true that all the drinks are free and then you can have all the sex you want?” The Irishman says “Yes, it is true!” The Englishman says “Oh, so you have been there?”
The Irishman says “Well, no, but me sister has!”
Oh Denny!!! LOL!!! That was too funny.
I can just hear you telling that out loud..
Sweets, I need to study their accents a bit, they all sound alike to me.
It was hilarious and I think it would be even better hearing Dennis tell it aloud. I just dont know if I wanna go to the bar with those fellars.
Dennis, Did you hear about the Iraqi, Mexican and Cowboy who were at a local bar having a few drinks? The Iraqi orders a drink, finishes it, pulls out his gun, throws the glass up in the air and shoots it. The Mexican asked him why he did that. The Iraqi replied,”Well, where I’m from we have so many glasses that we don’t need to drink out of the same glass”. The Mexican thought, hmmm. So he finished his drink, pulls out his gun, threw his glass up in the air and shot his. He said, “Where I’m from we don’t do dishes”. The cowboy has been watching this so he finished drink, pulls out his gun and said, “Where I’m from we don’t like drinking with Iraqis or Mexicans”.
And gets to ride in a airplane from coast to coast.Cant afford that myself!And i dont wish i was him!!!!!
I don’t either lol and I don’t care that much for flying period. If God wanted me to fly I would have wings. I just wish I culd clear the amount of money in one year that it takes to house an inmate in any american prison
…I still say the good ol’ USA should adopt my “one Fat Convict” theory for violent offenders and child molesters…it’s pretty simple:
1. Fence in a couple hundred acres in the desert southwest with 4 guard towers with shoot to kill orders for any convict coming within 10 feet of the fence.
2. Transfer all violent offenders and child molesters to the facility and give ‘em each a canteen, mess kit, and a pup tent.
3. On the first of every month, air drop enough food and water into the facility for HALF of them.
4. Repeat process monthly until left with one big fat mean convict.
5. Shoot him, take down the fences and guard towers and call it a day…
Only would have one problem with that and the problem is false convictions. What would ya do if you found out you killed an innocent man or woman. There are dishonest cops and we already know the lawyers and judges are corrupt so knowing that, how can we positively know how many of these fellars are trully guilty? I do like that theory for the ones who are definately guilty but just sayin one solid reason that they will use in efforts to block your plan!
…well OF, it’s an imperfect world at best…it’s gotta be a better deterrent than the system in place today… lol
Ya I suppose so and I think some big guns or bombs falling just across the border would be a deterrent for those trying to enter this country illegally. Heres an idea…what about using the border to test military equipment instead of the desert, maybe they would hear the loud bangs and booms then run the other way or get caught in the middle of the action, either way our country would have curtailed the illegal problem.
Todd Fort must have really ticked somebody off uptown or there is somebody else watching this case very seriously. I have seen way too many people break the law in Saline county and then seen it just disappear. That courthouse and police station needs a sweep by the feds to clean that crooked place up.
I think what it amounts to is that it was going on for so long with these young girls, and none of them had the guts to step forward and tell authorities….in this case, the girl only told the truth after she was caught, it was her DAD who had the spine to push the matter. Fort was allegedly ‘grooming’ three other girls at the school, all of them either this girl’s age or younger, when he was seeing this girl. There comes a time when the authorities have to draw the line with what they’ll put up with, and when they learned that his tastes were going toward younger and younger girls, that was just entirely too much, especially with him in his elected/appointed positions. Add his abject hubris to this, and he painted a target on his back; he’s like Drew, he became his own worst enemy.
That may be true concerning Mr. Fort. I think the fact her dad pushed it is probably the truth of why they have went after him, considering they would usually hide this under the rug. I have seen some people go to jail for petty things while others break the law repeatedly and never worry about getting put away.