James “Red” Robinson

slideshow

PRESTONSBURG — James Robinson, the husband of the Martin Mayor Thomasine Robinson, was taken into custody Tuesday in court, after pleading guilty to charges of menacing and terroristic threatening.

Robinson will be held without bail until later today, when he will again appear before the judge for sentencing.

According to Assistant County Attorney Tyler Green, Robinson appeared in court without a lawyer, and was briefed thoroughly by the judge on the ramifications of a guilty plea.

Green said that Steve Owens appeared in court later Tuesday, purportedly to represent Robinson, and made an oral motion that Robinson’s guilty plea be set aside, which was denied by District Judge Eric Hall.

James “Red” Robinson, was arrested following a recanvass of the Martin city mayoral race, after he made verbal threats against the presumed winner of that race, Sam Howell.

Howell said he was threatened by both James Robinson and Robinson’s step-son, Steve, although witnesses could not confirm the latter charge.

According to the criminal complaint, which was issued by Howell, James Robinson “threatened to bust the affiant’s head while getting up in the affiant’s face.”

County Attorney Keith Bartley confirmed that witnesses on the county Board of Elections heard Robinson make threats to Howell before the recanvass began.

Terroristic threatening is a Class A misdemeanor and could result in a $500 fine and up to 12 months in jail. Menacing is a Class B misdemeanor, which could result in a 90-day jail sentence and $250 fine.