Attorney Blake Murchison and James Works Jr.
The man charged with rape in the case in which a city detective allegedly became romantically involved with the alleged rape victim said he was told his case would be dismissed by now.
James Works Jr. told Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman on Tuesday that Assistant Public Defender Mike Little earlier told him that his case should be dismissed by March due to problems caused by the alleged actions of Detective Karl Fields.
Works said when the dismissal did not happen that attorney Little later said he did not remember saying that. Works said he wants the public defender's office off his case.
Judge Steelman said that would cause a significant delay in the case. He asked that Works meet with attorneys Little and Blake Murchison to see if the problems can be worked out.
The judge said, after a grand jury indictment, it is up to the district attorney on whether or not a case is to be dismissed.
Cynthia LeCroy-Schemel, a prosecutor from Bradley County, said she first wanted to try charges involving meth sales against Works before getting to the case in which he is charged with rape and kidnapping.
Chief Fred Fletcher fired detective Karl Fields for unbecoming conduct and neglect of duty.
TBI investigated Fields for text messages with a woman who filed a rape report.
He was put on leave in September and a CPD Internal Affairs investigation followed.
Fields pleaded the fifth when he took the stand.
Now according to his attorneys, some text messages were deleted.