Former School Board Chairman Greg Harris appeared in Metcalfe Circuit Court on Tuesday to enter a guilty plea to two counts of sexual misconduct.

The case, filed in Barren County in April 2010, was finally resolved in Metcalfe Circuit Court because the attorney representing Harris, Steve Romines, was in court on other cases.

Harris was indicted in July 2011 on charges of first degree sexual abuse, first degree rape and first degree sodomy of a woman residing in Barren County.

On Tuesday, Commonwealth’s Attorney Karen Davis stated that the plea agreement reducing the charges to two counts of sexual misconduct “was the right resolution.” By Harris pleading to the lesser charges the victim will not have to testify in court.

Davis stated that the victim has been seeking counseling and a trial would re-victimize her.

Judge Phil Patton sentenced Harris to one year and granted a two-year probation on condition that he undergo a comprehensive sex offender evaluation and go through a community based sex offender treatment program. In addition, he will be subject to random drug tests and home visits. He is required to remain drug and alcohol free and not commit any more crimes.

Harris is not required to register as a sex offender as the charge of sexual misconduct is a misdemeanor.

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Christopher Lee Endicott, 15, was in Metcalfe Circuit Court last week at the request of his attorneys. Endicott was arrested in March 2011 and charged with the murder of his guardians, Gary and Barbara Holloway at their 248 Jimmy Hubbard Road residence.

In November the case was finally turned over to the Metcalfe County Grand Jury when it was determined that the crimes warranted that he be tried as an adult. The grand jury charged Endicott with two counts of capital murder, fleeing/evading police-first degree, first degree robbery, two counts of theft by unlawful taking over $500, tampering with physical evidence, custodial interference, and first degree wanton endangerment, the last two charges dealing with his fleeing with a minor female.

Endicott is being represented by two attorneys from the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy in Elizabethtown. Last week he appeared with Attorney Leilani Krashin, who was there to request a reduction of Endicott’s $500,000 cash bond and to argue that the case was illegally transferred to the grand jury.

Judge Phil Patton denied the request for bond reduction, agreeing with Commonwealth Attorney Karen Davis’ argument that when Endicott was apprehended in March he was fleeing the area and as such it is the Commonwealth’s opinion that he remains a flight risk.

Krashin’s second argument was that the case should be returned to juvenile court. She believes that the law allowing the case to be transferred to adult court is unconstitutional.

Davis responded that the transfer was appropriate. Judge Patton told Davis she should file a response to the defense motion and that he will make his ruling on it prior to the end of the month.

Endicott is due back in court on January 10.

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Joshua Fritz, now 20, is back in jail after Circuit Court Judge Phil Patton last week revoked his shock probation. Fritz had been free since December 1, 2009.

He was originally charged with first degree murder in the death of his father, 54-year-old Robert Fritz, on or about October 26, 2008.

Fritz pled guilty in September 2009 of second degree manslaughter, the unlawful imprisonment and terroristic threatening of Jeannie Stewart, and tampering with physical evidence. He was sentenced to eight years imprisonment, but at the request of his attorneys, Resa Gardner and Kathryn Thomas, he was granted shock probation dependent upon his meeting a number of requirements, including assessments by LifeSkills, no parole violations, random drug screenings, unannounced search of his home and person, and taking any prescribed medications. He was also to attend college or technical school or maintain employment.

Probation Officer Charity Ford said Fritz violated probation in October 2011 but Judge Patton charged him with contempt and allowed the young man to remain on probation as a first offender.

Ford charged him again on probation violations and he was arrested November 15 because he had not maintained the required contact schedule. In addition, Fritz was found to have left his district and traveled to Bowling Green where he purchased and smoked an imitation marijuana substance called Diablo.

Testimony was given through a phone call to his LifeSkills case manager, Tina Froedge, in which she said Fritz had been doing well until his housing issue arose. She also said he has been approved for a special housing program and they were awaiting availability of an apartment for him.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Karen Davis argued that it wasn’t just one thing that had triggered the probation violation and that Fritz had tried to self-medicate with Diablo instead of taking his prescribed medications.

In his decision to uphold the probation violation, Judge Patton told Fritz, “I still want you to succeed, but I think I have gone as far as I can with you.”

Fritz was returned to Barren County Jail for a period of four months, at which time he will be eligible for parole.