Former counselor pleads not guilty

Samuel Martin Caffey pleaded not guilty to three charges at his arraignment hearing Tuesday in Mason County Superior Court.

Caffey's lawyer asked Superior Court Judge Daniel Goodell if he would entertain an argument on bail reduction at the arraignment and a motion to reduce bail was heard Wednesday after the Journal's print deadline. The former Shelton High School freshmen counselor's omnibus hearing is scheduled for July 3, the pretrial hearing July 24, the trial term will begin Aug. 1 and the final start date for the trial is Aug. 21.

Caffey was charged with third-degree rape of a child, th...