On the courthouse steps, Covington’s attorney answers questions…

(key points in the video- Attorney Cash explains the not guilty plea. He has NOT seen the evidence obtained by the US prosecutors and he cannot say if he will ask for a continuance past the September 4th court date until he sees the evidence)

This morning in the U.S. District courthouse in Asheville, Marion Kent Covington through his attorney plead not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud outlined in the Bill of Indictment read to him minutes earlier. Last week, his accused co-conspirator, Diane McKinny, plead not guilty to the same charges. Both cases are set for the September 4th docket. It is unclear at this time which case may be heard first. Judge Martin Reidinger is the scheduled to preside over that session.

Kent entered the courthouse at the earliest possible moment standing with the jurors at the door until it opened. Ramona Hall was Kent’s driver and escort for this hearing. She did the same last Monday for Diane McKinny. Brooke Covington was NOT present. My theory is she is seeking to avoid media exposure at all cost.

As I stood outside the courtroom with other media representatives waiting for it to be unlocked, it occurred to me that this could be a scene repeated several more times this year. Three of the five businesses alluded to in the Bill of Indictment have been mentioned and/or processed into the courts. The question among the media representatives was which other two businesses will be named and their owners indicted. Will it be only two more? I have my ideas which I may share later.

Sitting in my normal spot on the bench, I saw Kent’s face as he reacted to the number of people already seated in the courtroom. He was visibly shocked. He uttered a phrase I could not make out.

The hearing began just before 9:00AM. Kent was read his rights and the Magistrate Howell began reading the Bill of Indictment. Again, he was very articulate and considerate of making sure Kent understood each part. The last part of the Indictment included a forfeiture money judgment sought by the United States for $309,600.

After the initial hearing, Magistrate Howell moved into the detention hearing. The attorney for the US did not seek to detain Covington and thus asked for a $500,000 unsecured bond as well as similar restrictions as were imposed on Jerry Gross, Jason Gross and Diane McKinny. This time there was a stern admonition to not talk to Diane about the case and if she tried to talk to him, Kent is required to report this to his probation officer. Violation of any of the many restrictions could result in a contempt of court charge along with a warrant for arrest being issued.

Interesting to note, Kent will also be allowed to travel to South Carolina. His home(s), vehicles, cell phone and any computer or storage device for data will be subject to search without obtaining a separate warrant.

My personal observations of Kent’s answers to the questions from Magistrate Howell were that the replies were weak and his voice sounded as if he had been praying loudly for hours. He displayed no alpha male strength or confidence. He appeared taken aback by the scene playing out before him as if he were viewing a bad movie or even a nightmare. I might be reading too much into his demeanor, but let’s admit these are some pretty serious charges and he faces prison time and a hefty fine in addition to the money judgment.

During the arraignment hearing, through his attorney, Kent plead not guilty. The entire process ended by 9:34AM. After the hearing, Kent’s attorney Steve Cash answered a few questions on the courthouse steps. He had not seen the evidence against Covington yet, and could not say if the scheduled court date of September 4th would be pushed back.

The summer of indictments moves on. Who is next? We will need to wait and see. My thoughts are this is not over.

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(Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 639.