Trial could be delayed in theft case against former coach

Trial could end up being delayed once again for former Christian County High School football coach and athletics director Steve Lovelace.

In Christian Circuit Court Wednesday morning, Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Bolen says it’s likely there will need to be a special prosecutor, as he coached several members of her staff, which represents a conflict.

Defense attorney David Bundrick says he understands her concerns, but this case has been delayed and continued multiple times at this point, through no fault of the current Commonwealth Attorney.

Judge John Atkins advised Bolen to reach out to the complainant and see if they’re willing to accept her office continuing to serve on the case, in an effort to go to trial on the current trial date of July 24.

Proceedings were continued to July 19. As previously reported, a Christian County Grand Jury indictment was returned against Lovelace for charges of theft by failure to make required disposition of property (over $10,000) and theft by failure to make required disposition of property (under $10,000).

The indictment says that between January 1, 2014 and December 31 of 2020, Lovelace utilized between 500 and 10,000 dollars in funds designated for Christian County High School football for his own use.

He’s also accused of using over $10,000 in funds designated for Christian County High School for his own personal use.