BOND REDUCED ON JUSTICE COURT JUDGE

A $1 million cash bond on a Lawrence County Justice Court judge accused of
drug trafficking was reduced to $300,000 by Circuit Judge Mike Smith Friday
evening.

However, Justice Court Judge Post 1 Robert "Bobby" Fortenberry, 46, of 60
Mary Lou Turner Road, New Hebron, remained in jail Saturday following the
bond reduction. He was arrested March 26 in Brookhaven and charged with
possession of 2.5 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and
conspiracy to distribute meth.

Smith also issued a gag order in the case. The order prevents attorneys,
prosecutors and law enforcement officers involved in the case from speaking
to the public or media.

Approximately 25 family members, friends and former public officials
attended Friday's hearing in support of the accused judge.

Smith opened the proceedings at 1 p.m. Friday, but immediately retreated
into his chambers with the attorneys. They emerged around 1:45 p.m. and
Smith issued the gag order.

"Certain items pertaining to this case will be heard in chambers today so
that nothing gets in a newspaper that a prospective juror could use to form
an opinion about this trial," Smith said.

The judge heard all witnesses in the case in his chambers as the afternoon
wore on.

Brookhaven attorney Joe Fernald and Monticello attorneys Bob Evans and Jack
Ainsworth are representing Fortenberry. Ainsworth was not present Friday,
but Fernald and Evans resisted the gag order.

The defense attorneys had prepared a statement to be released after Smith
made his ruling on the bond reduction, but the judge's gag order nullified
their efforts.

The defense team appeared visibly upset as they emerged from the judge's
chambers shortly after 5 p.m. and gathered Fortenberry family members to
discuss the ruling.

Bond hearings are typically justice court matters.

However, Smith said earlier he was presiding because one justice court
judge had recused himself and the other was out of town on a family
emergency. He did not identify which judge was which.

Justice Court Judge Billy Joe "B.J." Price said he had recused himself
because of his friendship with Fortenberry.

"I've been knowing Robert for a long time," Price said. "He's a personal
friend and I didn't want to get involved in it. I don't know if (the
charges) are true or not, but I feel for the family."