Jesse Mathews is wheeled into Judge Bob Moon's courtroom by officer Wayne Dowell during Mathews' preliminary hearing. Jesse Mathews is being charged in the April 2 shooting death of Chattanooga police Sgt. Tim Chapin.
Staff Photo by Dan Henry/Chattanooga Times Free PressA federal magistrate has set a trial date in the case against family members of a 25-year-old man arrested in connection with the death of a Chattanooga police sergeant.
Ray Vance Mathews, Kathleen Mathews, Rachel Mathews and James Poteete are scheduled for a July 5 trial on charges they conspired and aided Jesse Mathews in the weeks leading up to his alleged shooting of Sgt. Tim Chapin.
Chapin was killed April 2 during a failed armed robbery of the U.S. Money Shops on Brainerd Road.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan K. Lee set the trial date and other deadlines for the defendants this afternoon. She also explained the charges against them after the federal grand jury indictment released Tuesday.
Rachel Mathews, Jesse Mathews' sister, is scheduled for a hearing on May 2 along with her mother Kathleen, whose health problems prevented her from being present today. Rachel Mathews is in custody in North Carolina awaiting extradition.
Ray Mathews, Jesse Mathews' father, is in custody and was present for the hearing today.
Poteete, Rachel Mathews' boyfriend, is free on a $30,000 bond and was present for the hearing
Both Ray Mathews and James Poteete pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.