Dee Johnson, the mother of Cheyenne Williams says the Kentucky State Police Investigator assigned to investigate the assault of her daughter perjured himself during the preliminary hearing in Jackson County on April 29, 2010.  The judge reduced the charges against the three females charged with the attempted murder and kidnapping of Williams to misdemeanors.

Surrounded by Kentucky Equality Federation supporters, Williams (right) testified at the preliminary hearing.

Williams says her classmates tried to push her off a cliff April 16, and Johnson says her daughter was attacked because she is gay.

Johnson told Kentucky Equality Federation, the advocate for the victim, that the police officer testified he spoke to Sheila Clemons at Daniel Boone about the overall mental state and personal appearance of Cheyenne Williams when she arrived for her job interview after the assault.

According to Johnson, who contacted Clemons, the police never contacted her about the investigation.

Richard Jones, who is responsible for administration and communications at Kentucky Equality Federation, and a member of its Discrimination, Hate Crimes, and School Bullying Committee received a voicemail telling them that gays are not welcome in Kentucky and to stop all advocacy work.

Kentucky Equality Federation's Richard Jones is responsible for administration and communications and serves on the Discrimination, Hate Crimes and School Bullying Committee.

The same message was left for Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer, in addition to a possible death threat stating, “stay out of jackson county business with your fag rights group or you will die.” Palmer said he didn’t care what threats are made, that he had been ‘gay bashed’ before and nothing will cause the Federation to stand-down or prevent the Committee from being an advocate for victims.

Jones stated the Discrimination, Hate Crimes, and School Bullying Committee ruled the incident a hate crime based on confidential information provided by Williams and Johnson.

Kentucky Equality Federation stated that a public corruption complaint, as well as a hate crimes complaint was being filed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Louisville Field Office, as well as the Assistant U.S. Attorney in London. The complaint is being filed in part due to the irregularities Kentucky Equality Federation’s attorney observed when attending the preliminary hearing.

Counsel for Kentucky Equality Federation, Jill Hall Rose, the wife for former Kentucky Senate President John Rose, issued a press release stating the following:

Counsel for the Kentucky Equality Federation, Jill Hall Rose, has reviewed the court proceedings in the Jackson District Court involving Cheyenne Williams on behalf of the Federation. It has been determined that while the Federation respects the ruling of the Court, there may have been certain irregularities within the proceedings that should be reviewed to ensure that the victim was not treated differently due to her sexual orientation. These irregularities include the following:

1. SUPPORTERS OF THE DEFENDANTS
During the preliminary hearing on April 29, 2010, 8-10 individuals supporting the Defendants, none of whom were witnesses, parties, court personnel or attorneys, were allowed to sit in the jury box in courtroom during the hearing to visually show support of the Defendants. These seats were directly in front of the Judge and separate from the public area of the courtroom. Further, these individuals were completely dressed in white as a sign of support for the Defendants. This dress was coordinated by the Defendants, and all of the Defendants’ supporters in the public area of the courtroom

were similarly dressed in white. These 8-10 individuals were allowed to remain in the nonpublic area of the Court room instead of the area designated for the public. This is highly unusual and creates a perception of favoritism for the Defendants.

2. INVESTIGATION
It appears that the charges were not promptly and fully investigated by law enforcement. While the incident took place on 4/16/10, the officer who testified at the hearing stated that he had still not completed his investigation.

3. PRIVATE COMPLAINT
No officer would support the charges and therefore, Ms. Williams was required to bring the Complaint herself through a private complaint.

4. VICTIMS ADVOCATE
Jackson County does not have a victims advocate that serves the court system. While this is likely a funding issue, the Kentucky Equality Federation has had to fill that role for Miss Williams.

5. STATE HATE CRIME

At no point, has the prosecutor or court recognized that one of the charges upon which the Judge found probable cause, namely fourth degree assault, can be subject to the “hate crime” statute under KRS 532.031. Pursuant to this statute, the Judge may consider whether the offense the victim’s sexual orientation was primary factor in the commission of the crime in sentencing, including the denial of probation.

SOUTHERN KENTUCKY PUBLIC CORRUPTION

Counsel for Kentucky Equality Federation, Jill Hall Rose. Rose is also a special justice for the Kentucky Supreme Court.

The Family Foundation of Kentucky’s Martin Cothran slammed Kentucky Equality Federation for advocating for Williams on his blog.  The Family Foundation of Kentucky is an anti-gay group largely responsible for Kentucky’s 2004 Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage.

On March 10, 2010, the Lexington Herald Leader reported that Gary Gregory, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 41st Judicial Circuit was involved in the vote buying scandal sweeping Southern Kentucky.

In addition, U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves said Circuit Judge Oscar Gayle House (also part of the 41′s Judicial Circuit), Clay County Judge Executive Carl “Crawdad” Sizemore, former Representative Barbara Colter, current Representative Tim Couch, former jailer Charles Marcum, former Sheriff Edd Jordan, Manchester attorneys Vancey White and Carl Anthony Short, and former Magistrate Roy Morgan. However, these people have not been charged and the judge’s finding does not mean they will be.

On March 26, 2010 a federal jury in Frankfort ruled that eight politicians in the 41st Judicial Circuit corrupted the election process in recent years, buying and stealing votes in pursuit of power and money.  The jury convicted all eight people on trial, including former Circuit Judge R. Cletus Maricle and former school Superintendent Douglas C. Adams, on a racketeering conspiracy charge.  That charge was that they used the county election board as a tool to rig elections, appointing corrupt precinct officers to help with vote-buying.

The jury convicted several of the defendants on other charges as well, including mail fraud, extortion and laundering money that was used to buy votes.

The jury also ruled they were jointly liable for a judgment of $3.2 million, based on the salaries and contracts they were able to get as a result of illegal acts. (Source: Lexington Herald Leader)

The Kentucky Secretary of State, who is also the ex-officio Chief Election Officer of the Commonwealth, as well the the Kentucky Attorney General are charged with investigating and preventing these things from happening.