MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) As she waited on Government Plaza's painfully slow elevators, Chessie Wood said this about the charges against her: "You can't find something on something that didn't happen."
Wood is charged with two counts of sodomy and sexual abuse of a child.
Two of her sisters and a brother are among friends and family charged with having sex with children, including allegations of incest.
"I think the charges are all bogus," said Wood's attorney, Michael McDuffie, "with the respect to her."
Also charged? Relative by marriage, James Cumbaa. Cumbaa's attorney lashed out at the prosecution.
"We look forward to getting the information that the state has to support these charges against Mr. Cumbaa proving his innocence," said Donald Briskman. "We've had nothing but a he said, she said kind of situation and we think that is woefully insufficient for the damage that has been done to this man."
The child sex ring allegations entwine family friend Nelton "Butch" Morgan, who was without an attorney until Jeff Deen took the case late today.
"No. I haven't seen anything against him," Deen responded. "So we'll see. It's all gonna be a bunch of hearsay and talk."
"He's not guilty," said Morgan's mother, Peggy. "Every mother's gonna stand by her child regardless. I'm here to stand by him and bring the truth forward."
Also standing by Morgan, childhood friend Faye Files.
"We played together and everything else and I know he didn't do this because he didn't do it to me. Because if he did I would have went to tell his mother."
Defense attorneys are eager to see the prosecution's evidence. They're not alone.
Those following the case of missing teen Brittney Wood wonder if this case will reveal what happened to her.
Brittney's paternal aunt, Kim Aikin, is critical of investigators in both Mobile and Baldwin County
"She's gone," said Chessie Wood, tearfully.
And when asked if she believes her daughter is still alive, she responded with one word-
"Nope."
The next court appearance for the defendants is August, when each defendant could continue his or her "not guilty" pleas, or change that plea to something else.
