In Indiana County Court today, Judge Michael Clark will conduct non-jury trials for 34-year-old Lamar Virgil Clemons of Indiana, who is facing charges in two drug cases.
All three of the county’s Common Pleas Court judges have been involved in the cases against Clemons. President Judge William Martin was set to preside over a jury trial in September, but Clemons opted for a non-jury trial, while also filing motions to suppress evidence in one of the cases. Judge Thomas Bianco denied the motions, which were based on a claim of illegal search and seizure at Clemons’ home on Josephine Avenue in White Township. Now Judge Clark is scheduled to preside over the two cases today.
Clemons is charged with possession with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled substance in one case, and the same two offenses along with deposits of chemical waste and operating a methamphetamine lab in the other. The meth case arose when police discovered a one-pot meth lab in a bedroom at the home when they arrived to arrest Clemons in March.
Also in court today, Judge Martin will conduct Plea Court for two defendants.
47-year-old Fred Barker of Vintondale faces charges in two cases after being swept up in a state police “Operation One-Pot” drug sweep last May. In each case, Barker will answer charges of possession with intent to deliver or manufacture, possessing chemicals for unlawful manufacturing, operating a meth lab, unlawful handling of chemical waste, plus related possession offenses.
44-year-old Thomas Edward Henson of Homer City will plead to a single charge of failure to comply with court-ordered counseling.
