Judge finds probable cause in pharmacy robbery case

Christopher Trail

By Alison James

alison.james@frankincountytimes.com

A preliminary hearing Friday found probable cause in the case of Christopher Trail.

Trail, 28, Fifth Avenue SE in Red Bay, was charged with pharmacy robbery, kidnapping first degree, four counts of kidnapping second degree, two counts of theft second degree and one count of burglary second degree, following actions at the Redmont Pharmacy in Red Bay June 9.

District Judge Paula McDowell upon finding probable cause bound the case over to the grand jury, which next meets in September.

Redmont Pharmacy, 1102 Golden Road, was the scene of a robbery beginning shortly before 9 a.m. June 9. Red Bay Chief Janna Jackson, along with Captain Eddie Chandler, was first on the scene.

Trail was charged with kidnapping first degree for holding pharmacist Donna Weatherford hostage. The four counts of kidnapping second degree are in regards to the four employees he eventually permitted to leave the pharmacy unharmed; the two counts of theft relate to controlled substances he stole from the pharmacy; the burglary second degree charge is because of theft committed to acquire the gun he used to commit the robbery. Trail is accused of kicking the door in at a local residence and stealing the weapon.

Bond was set at $450,000 for Trail following the arrest. He will remain in the Franklin County Jail.