Trial still set for Sept. 17

 

Three attorneys representing a married couple accused of first-degree rape and complicity withdrew from the cases Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Ironton attorney Chris Delawder and Ashland, Ky., attorney Mike Curtis represented Don Copley in the case.

Copley, 68, of 1518 County Road 70, Proctorville, is accused of 51 counts of first-degree rape.

Attorney Mike Gleichauf represented Copley’s wife, Beverly, 56, of the same address, who is charged with 41 counts of first-degree complicity to rape.

All three attorneys withdrew because the Copleys wanted new representation.

Beverly Copley hired Columbus-based attorney Sterling Gill.

Don Copley attempted to hire attorney Robert Krapence, also of Columbus, but Krapence withdrew because of a scheduling conflict with the trial dates. Don Copley remains without an attorney at this time.

Motions have also been filed in the case, which are pending until next week. The motions include consolidating the two separate cases into one. There are also motions to amend complaints in the case and to correct dates mentioned in the indictments.

Those motions will be ruled on Wednesday by Judge Charles Cooper.

The trial begins Sept. 17.

In March, the couple voluntarily turned themselves into authorities after learning of the indictments against them that were issued by the Lawrence County Grand Jury in late February.

Don Copley’s charges included “engaging in sexual conduct” with four girls who were under the age of 13 at the time of the alleged incidents.

The indictment alleges 10 incidents with one victim took place between 1991 and 1997. It alleges 20 incidents took place with the second child between 1991 and 1996.

Copley is accused of criminal activity with the third child 10 times between 1993 and 1996 and 10 more times between 1996 and 2001. The last indictment alleges one act with the fourth child sometime between June and August of 2011.

Beverly Copley’s 41 charges were first-degree complicity to rape.

The indictment alleged she aided her husband in 41 of his 51 alleged sex crimes.

The couple remains out on bond and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted of the charges.