Brothers Appear For Change Of Plea Hearings

Brothers Cody Corne and Calvin Mayo Corne Jr. each appeared in Roosevelt County District Court for change of plea hearings on Wednesday, June 10, but only one of them went through the entire process to change his plea.

Cody Corne made guilty pleas to the charges of criminal possession with intent to distribute meth and the amended charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

In order for District Judge Benjamin Fosland to accept Cody Corne’s plea, the judge needed the defendant to explain why he is guilty of those charges.

That is where the hearing became more difficult.

When defense attorney Mark Epperson asked the defendant if he had possession of meth while in a vehicle near Bainville, Corne said he didn’t have possession of anything. Corne went on to say that others had possession of the drugs and he wasn’t aware of it.

“I was just promised some meth when we got to Wolf Point,” he said.

Asked why he agreed to a change of plea hearing, Corne said that he thought it was the best deal for him.

Based on Corne’s testimony, Judge Fosland refused to accept the change of plea. A new hearing was set for Tuesday, June 23.

The change of plea hearing for Calvin Mayo Corne Jr. then went much smoother.

Calvin Corne made guilty pleas to the charges of criminal possession with intent to distribute meth and the amended charge of possession of illegal drugs, fentanyl. When questioned by his attorney Sally Kay Hickok, Calvin Corne admitted to driving a SUV that had about 16 ounces of meth and also had fentanyl. He also admitted to having the intent of distributing meth.

A presentencing investigation was ordered prior to Calvin Corne having a sentencing hearing.