Post by dalejrfan on Aug 2, 2006 15:24:07 GMT -5
Racer's son accused of misconduct with minor
Shepherd Jr.'s lawyer says indecent liberties charge a retaliation
The son of NASCAR driver Morgan Shepherd has been indicted on a charge of sexual misconduct with a 9-year-old girl.
A Catawba County grand jury issued the indictment against Clay Morgan Shepherd Jr. on July 28, said Al Jean Bogle, the county Clerk of the Court. The indictment charges him with taking indecent liberties with a minor.
The charge of indecent liberties refers to sexual acts -- but not intercourse. An arraignment is scheduled for Friday.
Police would not give details of the allegations, but the indictment says the abuse took place in December.
Shepherd Jr. is the 38-year-old son of the NASCAR driver, whose Faith Motorsports racing team has operations in Hickory.
Morgan Shepherd Jr.'s attorney, Gary Triggs of Morganton, said his client was innocent.
Triggs said the accusation was an embittered relative's attempt to retaliate against Shepherd Jr. The relative claims that Shepherd Jr. abused her daughter, Triggs said.
Triggs said Shepherd Jr. told authorities the relative was accepting a government subsidy to which she was not entitled.
"I am absolutely certain Morgan Shepherd (Jr.) is innocent and will be vindicated," Triggs said.
Shepherd Jr. is free on $10,000 unsecured bond.
Morgan Shepherd Sr. began his racing career in 1970. He has four career Cup series victories, with the most recent one coming at Atlanta in March 1993, when he was 51.
At age 64, Shepherd Sr. is still racing. He has attempted to qualify for eight Cup races this year, but has not made the field in any of them. He plans to try at least four more races later this year.
Shepherd Jr.'s lawyer says indecent liberties charge a retaliation
The son of NASCAR driver Morgan Shepherd has been indicted on a charge of sexual misconduct with a 9-year-old girl.
A Catawba County grand jury issued the indictment against Clay Morgan Shepherd Jr. on July 28, said Al Jean Bogle, the county Clerk of the Court. The indictment charges him with taking indecent liberties with a minor.
The charge of indecent liberties refers to sexual acts -- but not intercourse. An arraignment is scheduled for Friday.
Police would not give details of the allegations, but the indictment says the abuse took place in December.
Shepherd Jr. is the 38-year-old son of the NASCAR driver, whose Faith Motorsports racing team has operations in Hickory.
Morgan Shepherd Jr.'s attorney, Gary Triggs of Morganton, said his client was innocent.
Triggs said the accusation was an embittered relative's attempt to retaliate against Shepherd Jr. The relative claims that Shepherd Jr. abused her daughter, Triggs said.
Triggs said Shepherd Jr. told authorities the relative was accepting a government subsidy to which she was not entitled.
"I am absolutely certain Morgan Shepherd (Jr.) is innocent and will be vindicated," Triggs said.
Shepherd Jr. is free on $10,000 unsecured bond.
Morgan Shepherd Sr. began his racing career in 1970. He has four career Cup series victories, with the most recent one coming at Atlanta in March 1993, when he was 51.
At age 64, Shepherd Sr. is still racing. He has attempted to qualify for eight Cup races this year, but has not made the field in any of them. He plans to try at least four more races later this year.