Trial date set in case that led to firing of Chattanooga police detective

James Leon Works, whose arrest last year triggered a criminal investigation into a Chattanooga detective, will go to trial in September.

Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman set Works’ trial date Tuesday morning. He faces charges of possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, making methamphetamine, aggravated assault, kidnapping and rape.

Detective Karl Fields investigated Works’ case. But in August, Works’ alleged victim accused Fields of sexual harassment. She said Fields tried to kiss her, lurked outside her home and asked her for nude pictures.

Chattanooga Police Department detective Karl Fields

The victim’s accusations, coupled with text messages to support her claim, led Chattanooga police to investigate their own detective. In March, they fired Fields. He remains under criminal investigation.

Because the Hamilton County prosecutors used to work with Fields, the local district attorney’s office recused its staff from the Works case. Cynthia Schemel, a prosecutor called in from Bradley County, said she will be ready to bring Works to trial on Sept. 22.