Trial delayed after defendant runs off

Published 11:46 pm Wednesday, July 12, 2006

The trial of Robert Lamar Smith, charged with molesting a young girl, was scheduled to start last Monday in Whitfield County Superior Court.

But Smith is on the run after failing to appear, law enforcement officials say. Smith is charged with aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery and three counts of child molestation.

Smith was released from jail in November on a $100,000 bond set by Judge William Boyett.

Smith appeared for arraignment in February and pleaded not guilty. He appeared for a calendar call in March and his case was continued.

But he failed to show up for calendar call last Thursday and for his trial on Monday.

Chief public defender Bentley Adams, who represents Smith, said he had talked with Smith in the past few weeks but didn’t know where he was.

Smith, who according to District Attorney Kermit McManus had no prior criminal history, faces a lengthy prison sentence of up to 130 years if convicted on all charges.

Anyone with information about Smith and where he may be is asked to call the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 278-3029.