Two

defendants convicted by Clinton

Circuit Court jury

A jury trial that lasted past midnight last Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning saw a local Clinton Circuit Court jury convict two men on receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking charges. The jury recommended the minimum sentence of one year in each case. Also, one of the defendants was acquitted on a second charge he was being tried for.

After hearing testimony in the case, the jury determined that Joseph Edward Craig was guilty of the charge of receiving stolen property, more than $500 and recommended a one-year sentence. The original charge had been receiving stolen property over $10,000.

The jury also found Craig not guilty of theft by unlawful taking over $500. The original charge had been theft over $10,000.

Another defendant, Joey Rhule, was found guilty of theft by unlawful taking over $500. He had originally been charged with theft over $10,000. The jury also recommended a one-year sentence in that case.

The trial was held before Clinton Circuit Judge Eddie C. Lovelace, who scheduled formal sentencing for both defendants for August 1. The cases were prosecuted by Commonwealth Attorney Jesse Stockton, Jr. Craig was represented by Attorney Lee Whittenburg and Rhule was represented by Attorney David M. Cross.