The circuit clerk in Jefferson County’s Bessemer Cutoff Division has been cited with contempt of court for her reported failure to help find missing evidence in 1974 rape case.
Circuit Judge David Carpenter issued the citation against Karen Dunn Burks, saying she has “repeatedly and willfully” refused to comply with multiple court orders to locate the missing evidence.
“This court has been exceptionally patient with the clerk and exceedingly lenient,’’ Carpenter wrote. “No party to any case before this court would ever receive the deference and tolerance that has been bestowed on the clerk in this case.”
