JASPER – A former South Pittsburg High School running back charged with rape will attend college in Kentucky while awaiting his next hearing, his lawyer said Wednesday.
Ja’Mychal Buckner, 18, was booked into jail after an alleged June 28 sexual assault happened in Marion County, according to his arrest report. His attorney, Howard Upchurch, said prosecutors agreed to allow Buckner’s bond conditions to be modified.
Buckner will be allowed to remove his ankle monitor while attending college at Union Commonwealth University in Kentucky, his lawyer said. According to Upchurch, pretrial supervision officers will track Buckner’s location through a tracking app on his phone.
Additionally, Buckner will meet with pretrial supervision officers weekly by phone and have no contact with the alleged victim, Upchurch said.
Standing before Marion County General Sessions Judge Mark Raines, Buckner said he had no questions and understood the modified terms. Raines said he would execute the order, resetting Buckner’s next court appearance to Aug. 26.