10-31-12 —     The second degree forgery charge against former Wayne County Clerk  Melissa Turpin was dismissed during a preliminary hearing in Pulaski  District Court on October 17 and the case was waived to the grand jury.

    According to records in the Pulaski Circuit Clerk's Office, the case  was waived to the grand jury. The Pulaski County Grand Jury is set to  meet November 6 and November 7, according to officials.

    Turpin was arrested in September and charged with second degree  forgery, following an investigation by Kentucky Attorney General Jack  Conway. Investigators alleged that she forged the signature of  

Pulaski County Clerk Ralph Troxtell on a title for a 2006 Highlander  which was sold on Craig's List to a Maryland residence.

    Turpin remains on probation in Wayne Circuit Court, where she pled  guilty in 2009 to charges of theft and abuse of a public trust over  $10,000. The charges stemmed from deficits in audits of her office.  She resigned from office in October 2009.

    A hearing was held regarding Turpin's probation earlier this month.  At its conclusion, Circuit Judge Vernon Miniard, Jr. said he would  reserve a decision regarding the probation issue until the charge in  Pulaski County is resolved.