By JENNIFER WALKER
Special Judge Roger P. Elliott, who was named in August to oversee Barren County Jailer Leland Cox’s case, will be replaced by Senior Judge Steve Mershon of Jefferson County.
“Judge Steve Mershon is approved to handle the Leland Cox case and all of the matters that arise from the situation,” said Jackie Radus, Regional Court Administrator for the Green River region.
Cox is charged with 30 counts of third-degree sexual abuse, a class B misdemeanor and the case would have been handled in Barren District Court.
Judge Elliott, who was absent for Cox’s pretrial hearing last week, has now himself been charged with a felony crime.
Elliott was charged in Pulaski County on Thursday with one count of theft by deception for allegedly passing more than $300 in cold checks.
Elliott was named special judge in August after Barren County District Judge John Alexander, Barren Circuit Judge Phil Patton and Barren Family Judge Mitchell Nance all recused themselves from presiding over the Cox case.
Senior Judge Mershon has served as a district and circuit judge.
A new date for the pretrial hearing is expected to be set soon.
