MARION, AR - They're accused of helping throw an election, but five Crittenden County residents are maintaining their innocence.
Lorenzo Parker, Eric Cox, Amos Sanders, Lisa Burns and Leroy Grant faced a judge Tuesday in Marion, Arkansas.
Prosecutors say each of them had more than 10 absentee ballots in their possession with the intent to defraud election officials.
It’s all related to the special election between former State Representative Hudson Hallum and Kim Felker. Hallum plead guilty to his charges and resigned from his seat.
ABC24 News obtained voicemails Grant sent to Felker offering absentee ballots. When she didn’t respond, he went to work for Hallum’s campaign.
Two of the defendants, Parker and Cox, are Crittenden County lawmakers.
“We've entered a plea of not guilty and asked for a jury trial. He's a very well thought of man around here. He's a good man,” said Parker’s lawyer, Omar Greene.
All five defendants will be back in court January 3; their trials are scheduled to begin January 14.
If convicted they could each spend six years behind bars. Parker and Cox would not be able to remain in or hold public office again.
