By Emily Burton
Register News Writer
RICHMOND —
A mandatory state furlough day Friday delayed a pretrial conference for three people accused of damaging graves at Richmond Cemetery.
Joseph Dewayne Combs, 25, of Altamont Street, William Damien Gross, 19 of Keri Ann Drive, and Sara Elizabeth Smart, 20, of Waco, were scheduled to appear before Judge William C. Clouse in Madison Circuit Court on Thursday.
However, a special prosecutor from Fayette County has been appointed to try the case, because Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Thomas Smith also is a member of the Richmond Cemetery Board.
But, the special prosecutor could not attend Thursday’s court because Fayette County’s offices were closed Friday, and that county typically holds court on Friday, but had to move all hearings to Thursday, because of the furlough.
Combs, Gross and Smart are accused of causing $40,000 in damage to 150 grave markers, some dating to before the Civil War after a night of drinking April 3.
All three have been accused of violating graves, a Class D felony and criminal trespass, a Class B misdemeanor.
Combs also faces a second-degree persistent felony offender charge, that if convicted, would raise his charge of violating graves to a Class C felony. This means that if he is convicted, he could face up 10 years in prison.
If Gross and Smart are convicted, they could each face up to five years in prison.
Clouse continued the pretrial conferences for all three to Sept. 16.
Sex abuse
At an arraignment Thursday, a former instructor at Berea College waived a formal hearing and pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree sexual abuse, a Class D felony, in Madison Circuit Court on Thursday.
Demetrius Semien had been an instructor of sociology at the college during the 2009-10 academic year.
He is accused of sexually abusing a female student who was visiting his home.
Semien is slated to appear at a pretrial conference Oct. 14.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.
Emily Burton may be reached at eburton@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694. Follow Emily on Twitter at, RR_EBurton@twitter.com
