Bollinger County rape, molestation case set for October trial

A Bollinger County rape and child molestation case will be heard before a jury Oct. 14, Circuit Court Judge Benjamin F. Lewis decided Monday.

James E. Primer, 42, of Patton, Mo., was charged in November with felony statutory rape and child molestation after DNA testing ruled he was the father of a child born June 20 to a girl younger than 14.

The DNA testing conducted after the birth led to charges being dismissed against Brandon E. Johnson, a man originally charged in the crime. Johnson had admitted to knowing the victim but always denied having sexual relations with her.

Also at Monday's hearing, Lewis denied a motion for bond revocation filed by Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Gray.

Primer's original bond was reduced at a Feb. 11 hearing, and he was released from the Bollinger County Jail after bond was posted.

Gray said he filed the motion because he had received information from people who have seen Primer with the alleged victim and her baby.

The judge "told me if law enforcement witnesses something like that he would go ahead and take action," Gray said.

Lewis also set a pretrial hearing for Oct. 12.