By Brian Smith
The alleged getaway driver in the Dec. 9 robbery of the Dairy Mart on Commercial Drive had his case waived to a grand jury Wednesday.
James Reynolds Robinson, 46, of Highlands Drive, appeared briefly in Madison District Court with attorney Tracy Starnes, who was standing in for attorney Jim Baechtold in the case.
Starnes waived the case to a Madison County grand jury because he and Baechtold “are of the considered opinion that Mr. Robinson cannot meaningfully participate in his own defense” at this point, he told Madison District Judge Charles Hardin.
Robinson is charged with complicity to first-degree robbery and driving under the influence in connection with the incident. He was behind the wheel of a light-colored Mercedes which matched the description of a suspicious vehicle spotted outside the Redi Mart on Irvine Road.
When police pulled him over shortly after the Dairy Mart robbery, they found the man suspected of the robbery, 45-year-old Billie Masters, in the passenger seat of the car, and evidence later recovered from Robinson’s home linked him to the crime, Richmond police said.
Starnes made an oral motion after waiving the case asking Hardin to have Robinson evaluated by doctors at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center in La Grange.
Madison County Attorney Marc Robbins opposed the motion, and Hardin denied the request, saying the motion should be made in Madison Circuit Court if Robinson is indicted.
Herring hearing waived
A preliminary hearing on an automobile theft charge against Edwin D. Herring also was waived to a grand jury.
Herring, 19, of E. Irvine Street, was arrested Dec. 22 for allegedly stealing a pickup truck from outside a home in the 900 block of Spanish Grove Drive.
The truck’s owner was awakened by a family member, and the man followed the truck and eventually detained Herring until police arrived.
Herring was charged with theft by unlawful taking of an automobile, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He already was serving a probated prison sentence after pleading guilty to possession of a stolen pickup truck that was taken July 20 from outside the Blue Moon Tavern. The one-year sentence was probated in early December.
Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.
