Death threats cited by victim as former UK board chair pleads not guilty in rape case

Former University of Kentucky board chairman Billy Joe Miles of Owensboro pleaded not guilty Monday to rape, sodomy and bribing a witness at a hearing in which the prosecutor said the alleged victim has received death threats and other harassment since the charges were filed.

An attorney for Miles denied any involvement by him or any member of his family.

Miles, 76, was charged by a grand jury Sept. 5 in Daviess Circuit Court. The first-degree rape and sodomy charges are Class B felonies, each subject to 10 to 20 years in prison. The bribing charge is a Class D felony, subject to one to five years in prison. Fines for the felonies range from $1,000 to $10,000.

Miles is a prominent farmer and businessman in Daviess County.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article104490136.html