CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — Cassie Franklin, accused of stealing money from the Camdenton R-III Schools Food Services Department, showed up for trial on Monday, but instead her trial was pushed back by nearly nine months.
Cassandra Franklin again appeared in the Camden County Circuit Court before Judge Hayden on Monday, July 15, 2016, to face charges of stealing over $125,000 from the Camdenton School District. But, instead of a trial, Franklin’s attorney requested the court strike the trial date and reset it for some time in the future.
Franklin, formerly a cafeteria employee with Camdenton R-III School District, was charged with stealing money from the food services department. The Board of Education terminated Franklin’s employment following their investigation of the matter and then turned the information over to the Camdenton Police Department. Camdenton Chief of Police, Laura Wright, issued a statement to the media in December of 2014 about the investigation and said that charges would follow within the week.
The State of Missouri, represented by Special Prosecuting Attorney (SPA) Jon Morris of Laclede County, did not object to the request on Monday made by Defense Attorney Edwards. SPA Morris explained to LakeExpo.com that there were some issues with discovery that would take additional time to resolve. Discovery is the process by which the defense gains access to the prosecution’s case, thereby affording a defendant the best opportunity for a competent and vigorous defense at trial.
Judge Hayden questioned the defendant along with her attorney, Cody Edwards, as to her understanding of the possible consequences resulting from a delay. Franklin said she understood her speedy trial rights and wished to have a new trial date set at a later time. She signed a waiver stating her understanding of the possible prejudice to her case based upon this delay.
After carefully going over the court calendar, all parties settled on April 3, 2017. Judge Hayden explained that the Franklin trial would be the number two matter set for that jury term. The number two case can be bumped off the docket if the number one trial takes more days than estimated, leaving insufficient time for another trial.
Based upon the current number of judges in the 26th Circuit, this postponement means the Franklin trial will be delayed almost nine more months. The original charges were filed in December, 2014.
After the infamous Aaron Fisher case was dismissed because of extremely lengthy delays, the Missouri legislature passed a bill providing an additional judge in the 26th Judicial Circuit which includes Camden, Miller, Morgan, Laclede and Moniteau Counties. However, that additional judge is not expected for several months due to the timeframe for implementation of the new statute and the mechanics of appointment to fill the seat until an election can be held for a permanent third judge in the 26th Circuit. Meanwhile, Franklin remains out on bond.
