A pre-trial officer accused of having a sexual relationship with a state prisoner, along with the owner of the home where they allegedly met, will all go before a jury in the spring.

The three, 28-year-old Daphne Kelley of Richmond, 41-year-old James Bussell of Owingsville and David Lovings are all scheduled for a March 20, 2017, trial in Clark Circuit Court for their respective charges. According to the court docket, the trial is expected to take up to two days.

Kelley was arrested in August for third-degree rape for allegedly having a relationship with Bussell, a state prisoner serving his sentence in the Clark County Detention Center. Police said there was evidence the two had been in a sexual relationship for several months. Jail officials reported the situation to police in July.

As a pre-trial officer, Kelley was frequently in the jail meeting with prisoners and gathering information for bond decisions in court. Police said Bussell was a trusty and was allowed outside the jail on work release.

Bussell was working with a crew from Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation. The crew supervisor would allegedly drop Bussell off at a house on Ashland Avenue, which was owned by Lovings.

Following Kelley’s arrest on Aug. 2, Winchester Police stopped the Parks and Rec truck and arrested Bussell for second-degree escape and first-degree promoting contraband, after officers found him with a cell phone.

Lovings was not charged until he was indicted by the grand jury for complicity to second-degree escape. Kelley was indicted for third-degree as well as complicity to second-degree escape. Bussell was indicted for second-degree escape, first-degree promoting contraband and first-degree persistent felony offender.

Contact Fred at fred.petke@winchestersun.com.