KIMBALL -- Several felony cases are moving through their court proceedings with four defendants waiving their rights to preliminary hearings and four choosing to set preliminary hearings.

Kimball County Court Judge Randin Roland says everyone is presumed innocent until they plead guilty or are proven guilty by the court of law. 

Kenneth Childs, 65, of Dix was arrested July 17 and charged with Class 2 Felony use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, Class 3A Felony terroristic threats, Class 3 Misdemeanor disturbing the peace, and Class 3 Misdemeanor criminal mischief of causing pecuniary loss of $500 or less. 

Childs chose to move forward with his case by representing himself. His preliminary hearing is set for August 9 in County Court. 

The preliminary hearing will consist of both sides presenting evidence and arguments pertaining to the charges, after which the judge determines if the state presented enough evidence to move the case forward to District Court. 

Forty-three-year-old Derick Metcalf and 41-year-old Cora Robinson were arrested May 6, and each charged with two counts of Child Abuse and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a child. 

Metcalf waived his right to a preliminary hearing, so his case is now in District court, with his arraignment being Sept. 3. 

Robinson chose to move forward with a preliminary hearing, which is set for August 14. 

Travis McDonald, 48, of Bushnell is facing Class 3A Felony terroristic threats and Class 1 Misdemeanor obstructing government operations. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing, so his arraignment will be Sept. 3 in District Court. 

Two Kimball residents – 61-year-old Andrea Fowler and 54-year-old Robert O’Brien – are facing Class 4 Felony possession of a controlled substance. 

Fowler chose to move forward with a preliminary hearing, which is set for August 14. O’Brien waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and his arraignment in District Court is Sept. 3. 

Jeff Whitney, 28, of Dix is also facing a felony possession charge, along with Class 3 Misdemeanor driving without a license. Whitney’s preliminary hearing is August 9.

Esidro Stuart, 23, of Iowa is facing Class 4 Felony possession of a controlled substance, Class 3 misdemeanor possession of marijuana, an infraction for possession or use of drug paraphernalia, and a speeding infraction.

Stuart waived his right to a preliminary hearing, so his arraignment in District Court will be Sept. 3.