Cherokee District Attorney: Marlow Case Still Being Investigated

A much-anticipated decision on whether the case against a Cherokee County School Board member and two residents will move forward will have to wait another month. 

No decision was handed down by the Cherokee County grand jury this week on whether to indict District 1 board member Kelly Marlow and residents Robert Trim and Barbara Knowles on charges they lied when they accused Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo of trying to run Knowles over in June. 

Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace said her office is still investigating the case against the trio. 

"It will be presented to the grand jury when we have finished our investigation and are ready for trial," she added. 

Wallace added the case will be handled by Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachelle Carnesale, who "has been involved and handling the case from its inception."

The grand jury meets the second Monday and most Tuesdays of each month, said Cherokee County Clerk of Courts Patty Baker. The next meeting is slated for Oct. 14 and Oct. 15. 

Arrest warrants were issued for Marlow, Trim and Knowles on July 5 by the Canton Police Department in relation to allegations made by Knowles that Petruzielo tried to run her over as they crossed East Main Street in downtown Canton. 

Trim and Marlow are charged with making false statements in relation to Knowles' allegations, which she said happened after the June 13 school board meeting. 

Knowles has been charged with making a false report of a crime and making false statements. The charge of making false statements is considered a felony while making a false report of a crime is deemed a misdemeanor. 

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