While many of the same reoccurring issues surfaced in the Grand Jury report issued at the end of the last grand jury of the year, there were also a few different requests.

In their report the jurors made 16 requests to the court.

First they asked for additional safe-havens or orphanages for mentoring and counseling at-risk youth to reduce future criminal activity, and they recommend the Board of Supervisors make necessary repairs and provide additional staff to ensure security for jail personnel.

Rather than construct a new jail, the jury asked the board for a five-year plan to construct a new recreational facility for the youth to provide them with opportunities other than criminal activity. They also wanted the board to pursue federal grant money to cover construction and repairs to roads, bridges and facilities and to consider a tax incentive for businesses that hire former jailed citizens. District Attorney Ricky Smith found the tax incentive interesting because he said lack of work and poverty are driving forces of criminal activity.

With two circuit court judges in the county, the jurors recommended multiple courts be in session simultaneously allowing a speeder trial and the possible relief of back logged cases.

Other requests included repairs to the conference room door so that it closes properly, a dry erase board and easel in the grand jury room and for the seating in the grand jury room to be arranged so the jurors can face the district attorney and the witness stand.

Many of the recommendations were to improve the quality of county facilities with repairs to steps, replacement of a microphone, the creation of facilities for the mentally ill, use of the fourth floor of the jail and persecution for food stamp fraud.

Circuit Court Judge M. James Chaney said different people have different ideas and at least six of this term’s recommendations were not typical. He was glad the jurors spent time thinking about what they wanted to request instead of just copying the prior jury’s report.

The jury gathered the last week of October under Chaney to review evidence from criminal cases and decide whether there was enough evidence to issue a formal indictment to take the case to trial.

The jury reviewed evidence in 80 cases against 97 individuals and returned indictments on 71 of the cases with a total of 106 counts. Not enough evidence was presented to indict five cases, called no bills.

During their time in the jury, jurors met with Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace, County Youth Court Prosecutor Ricky Johnson and Youth Court Judge Johnny Price. They were also able to tour the Warren County Jail and the Juvenile Court.