New trial date set for judges in zone change investigation

PADUCAH, Ky. (AP) — A new trial date has been set in the case against former McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry and former Deputy Judge-Executive Doug Harnice, who have been accused of tampering with public records.

The Paducah Sun (http://bit.ly/1e5c7H5 ) reports the trial is now scheduled for Dec. 14 in McCracken Circuit Court. The case was set to go to trial in January, but was postponed when prosecutor G.L. Ovey retired.

Newberry and Harnice were indicted by a grand jury in December 2013 on charges of tampering with public records after the two were accused of altering the county’s zoning maps without following proper procedures. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Paducah attorney Burton Washburn says he discovered the changes in 2013 and concluded hundreds of parcels had been illegally rezoned from 2007 to 2008.