Caledonia Argus

Frye pleads not guilty to sexual assault

Posted: 6/10/03

Clarence Frye, Houston, pleaded not guilty in District Court Thursday to charges that he sexually assaulted two juvenile girls. He is facing a total of 13 charges, including nine counts of first degree sexual assault.

Fryeís son, Jonathon, 25, is also charged with three counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct.

Attorney Ross Phelps, who is representing Clarence Frye, asked Judge James Fabian to dismiss the charges against his client for lack of probable cause. He based his request on the original interviews of the two alleged victims on March 10, 2003, who at the time denied that any sexual contact had occurred. He said that other evidence in the form of audio tapes was given to him just before Thursdayís hearing was to begin.

County attorney Rick Jackson told the judge that while there had been an oversight in getting some of the materials to Phelps, he did supply Phelps with written reports based on later testimony in which the girls said that they had been assaulted by Frye.

Judge Fabian denied Phelpís motion to dismiss the charges.

Phelps made a formal request for a speedy trial, which means that a trial will be set within 60 days.

Judge Fabian also denied a request for downward modification of Fryeís conditions of release. Frye remains in the Houston County Jail.

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