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Judge clarifies Lincoln embezzler's probation

July 12, 2005|EMILY BURTON

STANFORD - The death of Lincoln Circuit Judge Robert Gillum in April left at least one loose end in court, the probation future of Elizabeth Hill.

Hill, convicted of stealing about $280,000 from the Lincoln County Industrial Authority, was on shock probation when recently accused several times of leaving the county without permission of her parole officer.

In March, after several court appearances, Gillum told Hill she was trying the court's patience, and verbally ordered her to go straight to work in Danville and home, nowhere else outside the county without his permission.

Gillum died shortly after without having signed a written order to that affect.

Hill then filed a motion to amend the condition of her probation to allow her to leave the county more easily.

According to the motion, a written order was never entered, and the judge changed Hill's probation "without a finding that the defendant had violated her probation."

An eyewitness testimony said Hill was eating at a Danville restaurant on a Saturday with her children. Hill claimed she had been working that day but could show no proof.

On Friday, interim judge Kevin Horn ruled that Hill can leave Lincoln County if she obtains permission from her probation officer, though Hill must still go directly to work and home.

Commonwealth's Assistant attorney Daryl Day said Horn told Hill she needs to use common sense when leaving the county.

"I don't have a problem with it," Day said of Horn's ruling. "As long as she's out (of jail), she's paying" restitution.

If Hill is again accused of violating probation, she stands to serve the remaining 9 1/2 years of a 10-year prison sentence.

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