Brown County Commissioner Steve Adams appeared before visiting Judge Robert H. Moore, III of Howard County (Big Spring) entering a plea of not guilty to the charge of Theft by a Public Servant at his arraignment on Friday, October 14th.

Judge Moore is presiding over the case after 35th District Court Judge Steven Ellis signed an order to recuse himself from the case.  State prosecutor Harry White with the Attorney General’s office participated in the arraignment via phone conference.

The first matters addressed were the errors of name and birth date on the indictment of Commissioner Adams.  Steven Lynn Adams was named on the document; however this was corrected along with the erroneous birth date of the commissioner, Steven Doyle Adams.  The judge redacted these errors, marking through initialing them.  It was discussed that there is a Steven Lynn Adams that lives in Brown County who is sure to be relieved that his name is now off of the indictment.

Adams and attorney Gerald Ratliff of San Angelo were informed that Adams is accused of the felony offense of Theft of Property $20,000 -$100,000, which is typically a third degree felony; however, because Adams is an elected official, this charge is enhanced to a second degree felony.

 Mr. White was informed that he will be required to release evidentiary matter to Adams’ attorney by November 1st although he requested to have until the end of November due to a busy schedule of two other trials he will be involved with.  Special prosecutor David Glickler will also be working with Mr. White on this case to meet the November 1st deadline set by Judge Moore.

The second matter, pre-trial dates, were also discussed and set for 11:00am December 9th and if necessary, 11:00am January 20th.  A trial date of February 13th was scheduled.  Although White stated his schedule was consumed with the other two trials and Ratliff expressed his office would like to see a hearing in March, Judge Moore stated that he wants this trial to move forward.

“Unfortunately for you, I am available,” stated Judge Moore.  “This is not going to be a deal tried next year.”

White stated that he felt with the abundance of evidence the trial will take a few days, but should be finished quickly.

“I would think this trial will take a couple of days, maybe three to four  days,” said White.  “I don’t think it will take two weeks.  With the evidence we have I think three to four days will do it.”

Another matter, the location of the trial, was also discussed.  White suggested a change of venue for the trial due to his previous experience in finding an unbiased Grand Jury.   Ratliff asked for the venue to remain in Brown County.

“We’d like the trial to be tried in Brown County,” said Ratliff.

The judge stated that the trial will remain in Brown County and expressed that he did not want jury selection to delay the trial.

“If anybody has any doubt of us being able to find a jury here in Brown County, I want to know immediately,” said Judge Moore.