Trial continued in child sex abuse case

March 22-- Mar. 22--WHITLEY COUNTY -- The jury trial for a Woodbine man facing multiple sexual-related charges involving a child was set to begin earlier this week, but has been continued after the man's attorney withdrew from the case.

James LaForest, 33, was scheduled to appear in Whitley Circuit Court Tuesday, where his case was supposed to be presented to a jury, though no trial took place. According to the Whitley Circuit Court Clerk's office, LaForest's attorney, Billy Taylor, withdrew himself as LaForest's representation. Without an attorney, the trial was continued.

Judge Paul Winchester appointed LaForest a public defender and set a follow-up pretrial conference for April 25 at 9 a.m.

A jury trial has been continued on at least one other instance, with a previous trial date being set aside in July 2018.

LaForest was arrested in April 2017 following an investigation by Kentucky State Police into allegations made by an 8-year-old child that LaForest had subjected the child to sexual abuse. A recorded confession by LaForest was allegedly later obtained, according to an arrest citation.

He was indicted in connection to the incident in May 2017 by a Whitley County grand jury.

LaForest currently remains jailed in the Whitley County Detention Center.

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