A Claiborne County man, convicted some eight years ago for incest and for using an animal electric shock collar to ‘control’ his two teenage daughters, will have a second chance in court to make his case.
By agreement with the state, Criminal Court Judge Shayne Sexton has set aside the conviction of Wayne Burkhart, 47, effectively moving the case back to square one.
A status hearing is set for Jan. 23, 2017.
Burkhart was ordered released from the penitentiary on Monday. He was remanded to the Claiborne County Jail and is being held under a $500,000 bond, which he is expected to secure.
The grand jury initially indicted Burkhart in December of 2007 after allegations of sexual and physical abuse, made by his then 17-year-old daughter, were filed with authorities.
The daughter said that her father had used a shock collar on her the day before because he “was mad” at her for going out with a boy.
The victim also told authorities at the time that her mother had witnessed the incident, and that she was also routinely abused by Burkhart with the shock collar.
According to the initial court documents, the teen’s testimony was corroborated by her siblings, ages 15, 13 and 11 at the time of the alleged abuse.
The Claiborne Progress and Middlesboro Daily News are following this case closely and will have more information as it becomes available.
Reach Jan Runions at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @scribeCP.
