UPDATE: Motion hearings scheduled in former Peckham Superintendent criminal case
September 2, 2025 | Courts|FeaturedNEWKIRK — The scheduled jury trial in the Gary Young case did not take place. Since a series of curt dates have followed concerning motion hearings. More motion hearings are now scheduled for Sept. 26 at 1 p.m.
Jury trial set for former Peckham School Superintendent
NEWKIRK — A jury trial is set for former Peckham School Superintendent Gary Martin Young, 70, Blackwell, in Kay County District Court.
Young, 70, Blackwell, 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 a 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 and hearing held.
Pottawatomie County Associate District Judge Tracy L. McDaniel, ruled that prosecutors presented evidence sufficient to meet the preliminary hearing burden and the attorneys were requested to make sure that the case proceed with the appropriate charges. (see story)
On June 14, 2024, prosecutors filed a notice of intent to introduce evidence of other acts and a motion in support.
The court document shows that prosecutors intent to introduce testimony from Young’s daughter in which she alleges that he molested her. Prosecutors believe her testimony will be consistent with what she testified to in the preliminary hearing.
The document show that the State intends to elicit testimony from the female describing all of the abuse discussed in the preliminary hearing which they believe will demonstrate for a jury that Young’s sexual interest in teen girls makes it more likely that he committed the described abuse.
Young’s defense attorney, William Kennedy, Oklahoma City, filed a response to the notice on July 19.
In the notice, the defense states that the alleged propensity evidence that the State seeks to introduce ranges from 30-17 years prior to the instant alleged offense and that it does not stays the clear and convincing evidence standard.
On July 23, prosecutors filed a reply citing that the evidence has been proven by clear and convincing evidence. A jury trial is currently scheduled for October.
See more stories on the case below
State discussing Peckham Superintendent
Peckham School Board choose interim superintendent
Search warrant served at suspended Peckham superintendent’s home
Former Peckham Superintendent to appear in court
Young accused of violating bond
