MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Adam Renk was in court Thursday for what was supposed to be his preliminary hearing. Renk is accused of sexually abusing a child under the age of 12. Allegations include sexual torture and sodomy. But a clerical error in the state’s complaint forced the hearing to be rescheduled. One of the errors is the charge of attempted sodomy — which is supposed to be the first sodomy.

“They’ve asked the court to dismiss this and will bring the two charges again, but hopefully their complaints will be correct this time,” said Kyle Henderson, Renk’s attorney.

While the office hiccup is rare — it’s something both sides want corrected before the case goes to trial.

But that’s not Renk’s biggest problem. Just before his hearing — another inmate allegedly threatened him in open court.

“Mr. Renk was sitting there minding his own business … And an inmate made threatening comments to him,” Henderson said.

Defense attorney Kyle Henderson says his client was in the Metro Jail’s protective custody after he was allegedly assaulted by other inmates and says he’s still a target.

“He was spat on — feces thrown at him. Clearly, as you can see just a moment ago, if you were in the courtroom — he’s in danger if he’s in jail right now,” Henderson explained.

Renk has been held in the Metro Jail without bond since last month. Henderson maintains his client is not a flight risk — despite the fact that the Mobile County District Attorney said he was on the run for two months and even changed his appearance after new charges were brought days after what came out of Metro for the second time in August. .

“Any location of my client is between me and him … I can’t discuss any of those matters,” Henderson said. “The bottom line is — my client — our position is — he’s safer out of jail than in jail. And it appeared when it was supposed to. At no time, when someone looked for him, did he comply with his court bond conditions and show up.”

Renk’s preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for Dec. 9.

Copyright 2024 WALA. All rights reserved.