“Updated” Kuhl Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Child for Sex; Sentencing Begins
Tuesday morning, October 6, 2015, just before his jury trial was to begin in 8th Judicial District Court, Franklin Coy Kuhl, Jr., 51, pled guilty to trafficking a child for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct. The child was a 13-year old. Following his plea, the jury began hearing the punishment phase of the trial shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Kuhl could face up to 25 years to 99 years or life after the District Attorney Will Ramsay arraigned Kuhl on enhanced charges before the court and jury. Kuhl pled true to four previous convictions including a 2004 conviction of possession of a controlled substance, a 2003 conviction of bail jumping and failure to appear along with a 2003 DWI 3rd arrest. In 1985, Kuhl served time in prison for escape. Kulh has previously been imprisoned twice and has been on parole three times. He was on parole at the time of the current charge.
On Monday, a 12-member jury was picked to hear the case. Kuhl was accused of taking a minor from Hopkins County to Hunt County for the purpose of sex. He pled guilty to taking the child to a Motel 6 in Greenville and participating in sexual activity multiple times during a day in February, 2014.
His arrest followed the mother of the minor reporting the event to an administrator at North Hopkins School. The activity of the child and Kuhl was discovered when the boyfriend of the mother found the hotel key in the minor’s possession. The school administrator contacted the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office. At that time then Sgt. Brad Cummings responded and passed the case on to Chief Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum. Tatum, after interviewing the child in the presence of a female staff member at the school, transported the minor to the Child Advocacy Center in Winnsboro where a professional forensic interview. At that time the minor stated that she had been raped. However, further investigation showed that the child had been manipulated into consenting to the acts. Her cellphone was later discovered and showed a number of messages between Kuhl and the child.
District Attorney Ramsay said the text messages between Kuhl and the child would allow the jury to “see the sickness of this man.” Ramsay pointed out that Kuhl was first in prison 15 years before the child was born.
Defense Attorney Frank Long addressed the jury saying that the minor had fooled her school counselor and the forensic investigator when she said that she was raped. He said that the child could fool adults and he questioned “Who manipulated who?” Long sought to convince the jury that Kuhl had taken responsibility for actions. Even though Kuhl was in Louisiana when local law enforcement sought him, Long said that Kuhl had contacted the sheriff’s office to turn himself in to law enforcement. Criminal Investigator Tatum could not confirm Long’s statement. Tatum did remember that Kuhl was arrested at a motel in Bossier City.
Kuhl’s now ex-wife testified that she had believed Kuhl innocent at first but she had told Kuhl she had looked at his computer and cellphone and he had asked her how much she knew. At that point, she lost confidence. She divorced him and is now married to another.
Tuesday afternoon, the victim took the stand. She identified three sets of multiple pages as copies of text messages sent between the two. In the texts, Kuhl had written “Love U more than you will ever know”, “till death do us part”, “Love U baby more than anything in the world”, and “Got to make my baby girl some $” followed by a series of letters that she identified as a kiss. That symbol for kiss was also used in multiple texts. In one of those texts, the symbol was followed by “with a little tongue”. The pages also included her responses. One text from Kuhl stated that his wife had seen an old text between the pair and he had told her it was just playing around. The texts date back to August 2013 when she was in 7th grade. The minor stated that the texts had started as flirting but resulted in physical action.
The victim said she had sex with Kuhl prior to the February 2014 visit to the Greenville motel. She responded to questions from the DA acknowledging that Kuhl had driven them to the motel and had acquired the room on an early morning Saturday. She said they had sex then went to McDonalds and Walmart before returning to the room. She said she thought it was a good day. She had told her mother that she was going with Kuhl to hang out with his boss’ daughter. On the way back to their home that day, she asked Kuhl what the girl looked like that she was to have spent the day.
She told the jury that she thought they would get married. She also testified that she had stated she was raped when questioned by a forensic investigator with the Child Advocacy Center because she was embarrassed. When questioned by Defense Attorney Long, she said that she knew what sex was before she had sex with Kuhl. However, she said he had taught her more about sex.
The defense did not call any witnesses and Kuhl stated to Judge Eddie Northcutt that he did not wish to testify. As both defense and state closed their case, Judge Northcutt dismissed the jury panel for the day with instructions not to discuss the case. The afternoon session had begun with a juror being dismissed for having formed an opinion prior to the conclusion of testimony and having shared that opinion with another juror. An alternate juror was placed on the panel of 12. There were three alternate juror who had been hearing testimony throughout the day.
The judge will instruct the jury Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.
Positive Reports Heard by SSISD Board During October Meeting
Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas scored Sulphur Springs ISD a perfect score of 30 (passing is 16) on the district’s financial management report, according to an announcement made during the public hearing segment of Monday night’s SSISD Board meeting. The board meeting was held in the SSISD Administration Building Board/Conference Room.
Red Ribbon Week, a Drug Awareness program, has been set for October 26-30 in Sulphur Springs schools. Robbin Vaughn was named school board representative to the Head Start Policy Council and the real property lease between Hopkins County and SSISD was extended by 10 years. An annual agreement between SSISD and the Sulphur Springs Country Club was also approved.
The board also heard Charlie Wilson, Tandem Consulting Project Manager for the Sulphur Springs ISD’s Civic Center Auditorium renovation project, give the school board an update. She projects an April completion date. Among progress, Ms. Wilson says the lobby will be completed at the end of this week except for some front doors, scaffolding has been put up inside and a rotting sewer line under the stage is being fixed and rerouted.
Wildcat Marching Band Earns Top Honors in Contest
The Wildcats Marching Band earned top honors in their first contest of the marching season last Saturday at Texas A&M-Commerce. The band received a Division I rating, the color guard was named outstanding color guard for both their class and the contest, and the band was named outstanding band in class and for the whole contest as well. There were 11 bands competing in the various divisions.
Wildcats Band Director Charles McCauley said it was a great contest with perfect weather and the energetic performance of the Wildcat band. McCauley also appreciated the reaction of the crowd toward their performance. He stated it was a standing ovation. McCauley said the performance was much better than Friday night’s halftime performance and he expects the band to continue to improve. Other contests loom before the local band.
Following the performances of the high school band, the Texas A & M University-Commerce band took the field. He praised the performance.
The Wildcat band will perform at halftime Friday night in Greenville and then travel to Mt Pleasant Saturday for the Northeast Texas Marching Invitational. Over twenty bands will be competing in Mt Pleasant.
Lights of Life Sponsors Free Flu Shots
The Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Health Care Foundation that has the annual Lights of Life and Gala campaign to raise funds for equipment for the hospital will be offering a service for those in need as a way to give back to the community. On KSST’s Good Morning Show with Enola Gay Monday , Bob Weaver, Chairman of the Board for the Hospital Foundation and Jackie Thornton, Director of the Foundation, announced 125 free flu shots to be given Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in partnership with The Dinner Bell at First United Methodist Church. The Dinner Bell serves a hot meal to those in need each Wednesday.
Those on Medicare and Medicaid will not be receiving the free shot Wednesday. Those on Medicare and Medicaid the cost of the shots are covered and can be received in other venues. The free flu shots are for those who would not normally be able to receive the shots due to cost. This preventative measure is in keeping with current healthcare practices.
Thornton said this is another outreach of the Lights of Life campaign. Thornton credited Weaver with the idea of giving the free flu shots.
Water Pressure, Police Cruisers, Sanitation Service on Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday Agenda
The Sulphur Springs City Council will be an executive session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday before a regular meeting at 7 p.m. They will be meeting with an attorney concerning pending litigation. Any decision on the matter will be made during the open meeting. Monday morning City Manager Marc Maxwell discussed the agenda items with KSST News.
Other actions for the city include a water supply contract with Shady Grove Water Supply #2. Maxwell said 12 water customers on the south side of I-30 near Rockdale Road who are presently on the city water system are not receiving sufficient water pressure. Those 12 will be moved onto the Shady Grove system to increase water pressure.
Police cruisers are also on the agenda. This year three new vehicles will be purchased. Sulphur Springs Dodge holds the winning bid at $69,000 for the three.
Sanitation service is also on the agenda. This is one of the few areas that cities may negotiate prices and not be forced, by law, to go out for bids, according to Maxwell. However, the city has chosen to seek proposals thinking that would benefit residents. City staff is recommending Sanitation Solutions of Paris. Sanitation Solutions presented a proposal that will keep rates at the current level. Maxwell stated that the company serves several cities that like the results of contracting with the company.
U S Marine Band Presents Concert at A & M Commerce
COMMERCE, TX—“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will present a concert at A&M-Commerce on Fri. Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ferguson auditorium. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advanced.
“We are honored that they have included Northeast Texas and Texas A&M University-Commerce in particular, on their current tour and look forward to an outstanding evening of uplifting and patriotic music,” said Dr. David Scott, professor and head of the Department of Music.
The Marine Band was founded by an Act of Congress in 1798. The group performs for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps and presents concerts throughout the country and the world as a representative of the U.S. and the U.S. Marine Corps.
“We are excited to be hosting them as part of their Fall 2015 National Tour. In addition to their performance Friday evening, members of the band will be providing master classes for our music majors during the afternoon,” said Dr. Scott. “It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to provide this interaction for our students and we know that they will benefit from the information shared by these fine musicians.”
To reserve tickets, visit www.tamuc.edu/music.
5D Barrel Race Benefits Bailey
Dutch Oven Cookoff Announces Winners
The first ever Youth Category saw many participants and heated competition. Most of the youths, following in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents, enjoyed carrying on the tradition of Dutch Oven cooking. The following youths earned recognition in their category.
1st Place – Colton Price
2nd Place – Grace Wilcock
3rd Place – Tony Hill
4th Place – Spencer Brewer
The Adult Class saw a healthy turnout as well, welcoming returning participants as well as those new to the contest. Rick Wilson, contest organizer, continues to keep folks involved in the contest. This year he activated a group of his classmates (class of 1968) to be the judges. Although a tough job, several stepped up to the plate (or bowl) and gave their time and exercised their expert taste buds to chooses this years’ winners.
Overall Winners
1st Place – Margie Ford
2nd Place – Donnie Peters
3rd Place – Tim Berger
Best in Pot / Best Meat – Richard Watkins & Dina MC Grere
Best Vegetable – Geary Almon
Best Bread – Diane Flagtvedt
Best Dessert – Michael Wood
*Update* Thompson Clan Fundraiser is Helping Family Rebuild Home
Pictured (l-r) Glenn Norfleet, Sarah Thompson, Josh, Shimane, Tom and Charlie Werner
Sarah Thompson, her four children and her mom had just discovered Hopkins County and made their home on Highway 19 North in the Old Tarrant Community when a house fire ravaged everything they owned. That was during the holiday season in 2014. Thankfully, no one was injured. The family of six knew they wanted to move back onto their property, so with a positive, adventuring attitude, they started exploring ways to make that a reality without going deeply into debt. This fall, they are organizing a series of Thompson Clan Fundraisers with the goal of purchasing a house that can be moved onto the property. Their October 3 fundraising event included a yard sale, their delicious homemade cinnamon rolls by the dozen, and with the help of Glenn Norfleet of Fireside Catering of Birthright, they sold pulled pork and brisket sandwiches and plates from a smoker on their lot. When business was slow, they simply held up signs and waved to traffic from the roadside. The public is invited to assist with donations by going online to Go Fund Me or by contacting Glenn Norfleet on Facebook.
Updated Info: The Thompson’s raised $2,533 today with their efforts.
Donations can be made to:
Thompson Clan
c/o Sarah Thompson
P.O. Box 75
Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
Or contact by phone (210)-542-5751
Tigers’ Second Half Edges Out Wildcats
A partially blocked extra point kick and unsuccessful onside kick allowed Mt. Pleasant to escape Prim Stadium with a 31-30 victory over the Wildcats Friday night. The Tigers overcame a 21-7 halftime lead to get the win. The Wildcats scored on an interception return from Bubba Hall, TD runs from Scott Galarza and Jaylon Hawkins, a TD pass from Tanner Ramirez to Simeon Taylor and a Julio Robles field goal. The Wildcats are now 0-5 for the season.
