Case against former Peckham School Superintendent continues; Plea docket set
September 15, 2023 | Courts|FeaturedNEWKIRK — Peckham School’s embattled former superintendent, Gary Martin Young, 69, is scheduled for a plea docket on Oct. 23 on a felony charge of lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16.
Young was originally charged with five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts to children on Dec. 18, 2019. (see story)
Afterwards, Young’s teaching certificate was suspended, he was arrested and released on bond. A series of court dates and hearing followed.
On Jan. 6, 2023 a hearing was held in Noble County before Judge Jennifer Brock. During the hearing, count four was dismissed. Prosecutors requested that Young be arraigned on the remaining counts. The court did not find probable cause to do so and the case was dismissed.
The decision was appealed by prosectors.
A hearing was held on Jan. 27 during which, Pottawatomie County Associate District Judge Tracy L. McDaniel, ruled that prosecutors presented evidence sufficient to meet the preliminary hearing burden. The attorneys were requested to make sure that the case proceed with the appropriate charges.
On March 10 Young was bound over on two remaining charges.
On May 10 a motion to modify Young’s bond was filed,
Young’s attorneys asked the court to release Young from his ankle monitor and alcohol monitor and to allow him to travel throughout the state with court permission.
They argued that Young has been in compliance with the terms of his bond since the beginning of the case in 2019 and that there are two witnesses named in the original and amended information that Young is ordered to have no contact with and that neither of them live in Kay County.
His defense team argued that there is clear and convincing evidence from Young’s conduct that he does not pose a threat to himself nor society and that he is not a flight risk.
Young’s defense team also told the court that Young has paid $24,125.50 to maintain both his GPS ankle monitor and alcohol monitor.
On May 22, Young was arraigned on the two charges and hearing on the requested bond modifications was heard by Judge Lee Turner. Over an objection by the state, the court allowed Young to remove his GPS and alcohol monitor. All but one of the charges pending against Young were dismissed. The next court date in the matter is set for Oct. 23.
See more stories on the case below
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Former Peckham Superintendent to appear in court
Young accused of violating bond
