GEORGETOWN, Texas -- Just over a week ago, the Williamson County District Attorney Office re-opened the sexual assault case that sent a former Leander high school football star to jail.
Greg Kelley was convicted of molesting a young boy in 2014 and is serving a 25-year sentence.
GRK Foundation, Facebook
But now, there could be new hope for Kelley and his supporters, who have always maintained that he was innocent.
Even before he was elected, Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick was well aware of the significance of the Greg Kelley case.
"I was a local lawyer here in town. It was certainly a case that lawyers knew about, not only lawyers but obviously the public knew about this case," said Dick.
And it’s the public’s undying investment in this case that Dick says makes it unique.
"In all of my career, I haven’t seen a case where someone who is charged and convicted of a crime like this, received this much support," he said.
Since announcing a new suspect in the case last week, his office has been overwhelmed with phone calls and emails supporting Kelley’s innocence.
So much so, they had to create a separate tip line for people to contact.
"So far we have generated some very helpful tips, hope to continue to do that and continue our investigation," said Dick.
Kelley’s defense attorneys want a Williamson County court to find Kelley innocent.
The attorney's claim another newly named suspect is the actual the one responsible for the crime.
Dick confirmed that Kelley's friend, Johnathan McCarty, is under investigation as a suspect, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
Affidavits claim McCarty had naked pictures of children on his phone and constantly looked at porn.
A hearing is set for August 3 -- it’s something Dick said he is trying to expedite.
"I get that this is important to get this done quickly, but it’s also important to get this done correctly," he said.
Until then, the DA’s office said it will continue to handle the investigation objectively.
"We’re really interested in just getting to the truth and following the facts and the law, and letting them take us to where the right decision is ultimately as possible," said Dick.
If you have any information on this case, you can call the Williamson County DA's Office at 512-943-1299 or email kelleycaseinfo@wilco.org.
For more information on the GRK Foundation, visit their Facebook page.
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