Jury Trial

A Garrard County man, David Miller, is set to go on trial June 28 in Indiana for charges that he attempted to murder Michael Hays when he shot him in the back of the head at a gas station two years ago. The shooting set off an investigation and discovery of the body of a Danville man buried on an Indiana farm, and Hays' multi-million dollar marijuana operation based in Forkland. Hays, his wife and stepson pleaded guilty in 2003 to federal charges that they were involved with a marijuana farm.

STANFORD - The trial of accused child rapist Clarence Robinson and live-in girlfriend Lisa Robinson was scheduled to continue today as jurors hear closing arguments. Graphic testimony from a young woman offered details into how Clarence Robinson is alleged to have repeatedly raped her before she turned 13. The woman, now 18, said the first time she was raped was in the seventh grade after Clarence Robinson picked her up from school and took her to a back road out in the countryside.

HARRODSBURG - When Paul Estes goes on trial for murder Monday, there will be no attempt to deny that he smothered Debora Brooks with a pillow and tied a paper bag over her head to finally suffocate her. Estes has already admitted that much to police in a tape-recorded statement that will be played during the trial. What Estes is hoping is that the jury seated to decide the case can be persuaded that he deserves a sentence no worse than Meghan Brooks, who received 17 years after pleading guilty earlier this year to second-degree manslaughter, hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence in her mother's death in 2009.  “He has taken responsibility for his actions.

LEXINGTON -- A jury found David "Scott" Miller not guilty Tuesday of federal conspiracy charges connected to Michael Hays' Gravel Switch marijuana farm. Seven women and five men took less than two hours to reach the verdict. Scott Miller was the only one of 11 people indicted who asked for a jury trial. The rest, including his father, sister and brother-in-law, pleaded guilty. "I feel (the verdict) was very fair," Scott Miller said in the hallway of the U.S. District courtroom here.

Cases in Lincoln District Court. List includes all names of those charged who are not identified as minors. Johnny G. Thompson, no/expired registration plates and no/expired Kentucky registration receipt was listed on the docket as failed to appear. Should have been listed as dismissed on proof. Megan Brooks, bench warrant violation of probation. To serve 30 days on home incarceration to begin 1-17-07. Daniel L. Brown, theft by unlawful taking/disp all others under $300.

STANFORD - In an unexpected move Monday, three defendants provided a surprise ending to a seven-year-old murder case by pleading guilty in the deaths of Bo Upton and Ryan Shangraw. Deonte Simmons, one of the main shooters, pleaded guilty to wanton murder, robbery, burglary and wanton endangerment in exchange for a recommended sentence from prosecutors of life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years. That recommendation matches the sentence received by the other shooter, Jamarkos Campbell, who was convicted of murder last month after a five-day jury trial in Lincoln Circuit Court.

The following action was taken March 10 in Clark District Court with Judge William Clouse officiating: - A trial was scheduled April 10 for David E. Brock, who is charged with violating a DVO or EPO. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for March 24. - Johnny W. Christopher pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and was sentenced to 11 days in jail. Restitution was ordered to be paid by July 21. - The second-degree forgery case against Marvin Cooper was continued generally.

The meth case against James Prater, 36, of Lancaster will go to jury trial March 5 at 8:30 a.m. in Jessamine Circuit Court. Prater has been charged with manufacturing meth, possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from a November incident at the Nicholasville Walmart. On. Nov. 21, 2012, Prater was discovered in the men's restroom unconscious by Walmart employees. Prater was allegedly found with materials to make meth in his backpack. The store was closed for more than an hour while police investigated the scene.