A Christian County grand jury returned indictments Friday featuring charges of sexual abuse, assault, bribery of a public servant, among others.
The grand jury returned an indictment against 43-year-old Joseph Richard Murphy of Hopkinsville on first-degree sexual abuse. The indictment stated that Murphy made forcible sexual contact with his alleged victim on May 26.
25-year old Marshawn Deangelo Taylor of Hopkinsville was indicted on charges of first-degree assault, first-degree wanton endangerment, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. The charges come from a May 6 incident where Taylor allegedly assaulted someone and created a risk of death for another person.
24-year-old Jonathan Wade Risner, II of Clarksville, Tennessee, was indicted on charges of bribery of a public servant, first-degree wanton endangerment, and first-degree fleeing or evading police. The indictment said on April 17, Risner attempted to bribe Officer Fitzpatrick of the Oak Grove Police Department. On the same date, Risner was also operating a motor vehicle in a manner that created a substantial risk of death or serious injury and fled from police.
And 46-year-old Jerome Edward Franklin of Hopkinsville was indicted on charges of receiving stolen property – $10,000 or more, two counts of theft by unlawful taking – over $500, theft by deception – under $500, first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree criminal trespassing, third-degree burglary, and first-degree persistent felony offender. The Christian County Sheriff’s Department report states Franklin was arrested May 13 after entering through several gates and drove a stolen U-Haul through a field to a barn. The report adds there were other vehicles near the barn that Franklin claimed were his and sold to a towing company. Two vehicles had been taken and sold for $300. In the process of the crime, Franklin cut down a fence and seven trees and damaged four bales of hay. Both vehicles were recovered, but the money was not. The U-Haul used during the crime was stolen on May 12.
