By Taylor Boyd
A jury trial for suspended Martinsville Mayor LC Jones has been set for June 5, and his suspension from the City Council will remain in effect pending the trial.
Martinsville Circuit Court Judge G. Carter Greer issued the order Monday, Feb. 23, in response to two motions filed by Jones that same day. One motion requested a jury trial, and the other sought a continuance of a hearing originally scheduled for Feb. 26. Both were filed pro se, or on his own behalf without an attorney.
The court also appointed Michael “Gene” Teague to serve in Jones’ place pending trial.
Jones was served with a Rule to Show Cause and a subpoena on Feb. 18 to appear in court on Feb. 26.
Jones previously notified council members and the city attorney that former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides’ legal team was also representing him, according to previous reports.
Paul Goldman, a member of Ferrell-Benavides’ legal team, said in a Feb. 21 email that he would represent Jones if he could.
“As a general rule, for a local hearing matter like this, the one in the hot seat does best with a member of the local bar,” Goldman said in the email.
Jones secured Newport News-based attorney James Ellenson on Feb. 22 to represent him.
Neither Jones nor Goldman responded to requests for comment.
