A trial for a Houston man accused of stealing from Piney Township was delayed last week after the Missouri attorney general’s office sought a continuance and a judge approved it.
Roger L. Martin of Houston was charged in January 2013 with stealing $26,292 by using a credit card issued to Piney Township, which oversees road and bridge maintenance in the area. Martin, who was a board member at the time, was to have stood trial beginning July 15.
The newest trial date is Dec. 9-10. The attorney general’s office said a prosecutor assigned to the case left the office earlier this month, and a new assistant attorney general needed time to prepare for trial. Martin is charged with theft/stealing and eight counts of fraudulent use of credit/debit devices, all felonies.
The case is before Circuit Judge John Beger, who on July 1 denied a change of venue because he said it was filed untimely.
In December 2012, the Missouri State Highway Patrol alleged Martin used a fuel credit card without the knowledge of his fellow township members. Martin resigned his elected post in July 2012 after questions surfaced about the card’s use.