Jim Hughes re-trial set

A Nov. 18 trial date was set for the second trial of James Hughes of Endicott Friday in Whitman County Superior Court. The Hughes grain rustling case has been pending since July 20, 2012, when the jury in his first trial reported they were unable to reach a verdict after a week-long trial.

Hughes, a contract trucker, has been charged with taking loads of grain from Whitgro Elevators and hauling them to Snake River terminals where he delivered them in his name. Defense Attorney Stephen Graham presented a defense case which contended the missing grain allegations against Hughes were the result of poor record keeping on the part of the cooperative.

Approximately a month after the hung jury outcome in the first trial, Prosecutor Denis Tracy filed an amended list of charges which included 21 counts of first degree theft and one count of second degree theft.

Graham reported to the court Friday he was awaiting a few more record reports in preparation for the second trial.