The date of the jury trial for the former teacher accused of kidnapping a Maury County teenager has been continued.
According to court documents, Tad Cummins’ trial date has been reset to Tuesday, January 2, 2018 in Nashville.
The U.S. District Judge said “any plea agreement must be consummated by noon on the Thursday before the trial.”
The trial was initially set for July 25; however, in a waiver filed July 6, Cummins waived any rights he had under the Speedy Trial Act and the Plan for Prompt Disposition of Criminal Cases by requesting that his case be continued until a later date.
The motion to continue the trial stated Cummins requested the trial be set for January 2018, as the judge agreed upon on Friday.
The reasoning stated within the motion was the need to complete "discovery, research, and investigation" before the trial.
The motion by the Assistant Federal Public Defender went on to say, in part:
“In light of the serious nature of the charge, the ongoing plea discussions, and the need to conduct additional research and investigation, undersigned counsel submits that the interests of justice will be served by the granting of a continuance. Further, he submits that the denial of a continuance in the present case would deny him the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation, taking into account the exercise of due diligence.”
Cumminspleaded not guilty to federal charges in the case.
He had been indicted on charges of transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual conduct and obstruction of justice.
Cummins was initially charged in a criminal complaint on April 20 after he was found in Cecilville, California with the 15-year-old alleged victim.
He and the 15-year-old had been the subject of a nationwide search by law enforcement, after leaving the Columbia area on March 13.
