Trials set for this week

By Staff
Melissa Cason
This week is criminal trial week in Franklin County. District Attorney Joey Rushing announced yesterday that two cases involving children would have their day in court.
Rushing said the first case scheduled on the docket is for the rape and sexual abuse charges against Jeff Pendegraph, 52, of 111 Sixth Street in Red Bay.
"Mr. Pendegraph is accused of having sexual intercourse with a seven-year-old child," District Attorney Investigator Terry Zills said.
The act allegedly occurred in September 2006. The grand jury indicted Pendegraph in November 2006.
"The victim's mother reported the incident to our office, which prompted an investigation," Zills said.
The Red Bay Police Department assisted the District Attorney's Office with the investigation.
In an unrelated case, Lonnie Paul Pounders, 42, of 6397 Waterloo Road in Russellville, is charged with one count of child abuse, and is the second trial set for this coming week.
Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott said Pounders allegedly abused a child under the age of 18 by striking them with a belt on the neck, back, face and/or shoulder.
The incident occurred in March 2006.
Rushing said testimony in the first trial is scheduled for Tuesday morning and the second trial is set for Thursday.
Jury selections will begin tomorrow morning.