Prosecution

LANCASTER - Right in the middle of a heated conflict regarding the 2012-13 Garrard County budget, criminal charges were filed against Magistrate Ronnie Lane for an alleged incident that happened more than three months earlier. Lane, 72, of Lancaster, is accused of second-degree hindering prosecution or apprehension in connection with an alleged incident that happened Feb. 19, according to a criminal summons.  But the misdemeanor charge was not filed until May 29, according to court records.  Lane was allegedly with Misty Barker, 31, of Lancaster, on Feb. 19. Kentucky State Police Trooper David S. Fugate called Barker's cell phone and said he needed to interview her regarding the theft of a concrete saw.  Barker declined to meet with police and allegedly said she was getting into a car with Lane.

Excerpts from the closing arguments presented by Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Charles Johnson in the murder trial of Joy and Patrick Watkins.

Everybody loves a good murder-mystery, and nobody wrote them like Agatha Christie. Thirty-three years after her death, Christie's works draw enthusiastic crowds to theaters to see performances of her spine-tingling tales. Among her most famous works is "Witness for the Prosecution," which opens Friday at West T. Hill Community Theatre. Director Karen Logue talks about the famous murder-mystery, Christie, and the fun of English accents. A-M: What is "Witness for the Prosecution" about?

STANFORD - The manslaughter and fetal-homicide trial of Carolyn Foley of Crab Orchard is under way in Lincoln Circuit Court. Foley is accused of driving drunk and wrecking her pickup two days before Thanksgiving last year, killing her passenger Brandy Ison Simpson, 26, and the fetus Simpson was carrying. The wreck happened about 4:14 p.m. on Hwy. 643 about two miles south of Crab Orchard. According to The Interior-Journal in Stanford, Commonwealth's Attorney Eddie Montgomery said in his opening statement Monday that Foley was driving while intoxicated, which caused her to run off the road and strike a bridge embankment, killing Simpson.

Hooded and in body armor, a suspect in the 2002 murders of Ryan Shangraw and Bo Upton was taken under armed guard from the jail to juvenile court Tuesday for a hearing. Authorities are cloaking prosecution of the 23-year-old suspect in confidentiality because he was 16 and a juvenile when the murders occurred. In Kentucky, juveniles are prosecuted in secret. The suspect's father-in-law has identified him as Matthew Tolson, formerly of Richmond. Two others have been arrested in connection with the murders, and more arrests are expected.

Dear Editor, I can't help but respond to the letter from Mary Zwahlen regarding the prosecution of Jack Caldwell that was in The Advocate-Messenger on Nov. 21. It seems that she feels if you are elderly or seriously ill you suddenly have the right to shoot whoever you don't like, for whatever reason that you might have, and still be free from prosecution. As for Mr. Caldwell allegedly shooting Mr. Traschel, there is no allegedly. Jack Caldwell shot and killed Jim Traschel.

A Harrodsburg woman was given a probated sentence last week for her role in helping Edd ByiRon Coulter avoid arrest during the first three months of 2003. Teela Van Arsdale, 27, of 830 N. College St., was sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty in Boyle Circuit Court to hindering prosecution, a misdemeanor. Judge Darren Peckler credited her with seven days served and probated the remainder of the sentence for two years. Coulter was the subject of a manhunt in both Danville and Harrodsburg after he allegedly shot and killed Robert Thornton III on Christmas Eve, 2002, in the parking lot of some Danville apartments.

LANCASTER - A Garrard County judge set an October trial date for Magistrate Ronnie Lane, who is accused of hindering prosecution. Lane, 72, of Lancaster, is accused of second-degree hindering prosecution for an alleged Feb. 19 incident, according to a criminal summons. If he is convicted of the misdemeanor charge during his trial, he could spend up to 12 months in jail.  During a pre-trial conference held in Garrard District Court Thursday, 13th Judicial Circuit Chief District Judge Bill Oliver set Lane's trial for 1 p.m. Oct. 4. He also assigned the case to a Madison County prosecutor to avoid any potential legal conflicts of interest.

The trial of William David Miller, of Garrard County, that was scheduled to begin today in Washington, Ind. has been postponed until Sept. 27. Miller is accused of attempting to murder Michael Hays, of Gravel Switch, at a gas station in Indiana. Miller has said that he shot Hays in self defense. One of Miller's attorneys, David Guarnieri, said that the prosecution has added a witness. Guarnieri said the judge decided it would be best to postpone the trial. Prosecuting attorney Byron Overton declined to comment.

Dear Editor, The opinion piece "Thumbs Up - Thumbs Down" for April 3 was untrue at worst, factually inaccurate at best. First of all, Ted Stevens was not "vindicated. " Atty. Gen. Eric Holder decided to dismiss the case against him because the prosecution had failed to share items of evidence with the defense. In my humble opinion, the evidence referred to was not exculpatory, but it might have made the trial a bit more interesting. The evidence stands, and, in the eyes of most Americans, Ted Stevens is just as guilty as he ever was. The Justice Department decided not to conduct a new trail due to his advanced age (87)

LANCASTER - A Garrard County judge set an October trial date for Magistrate Ronnie Lane, who is accused of hindering prosecution. Lane, 72, of Lancaster, is accused of second-degree hindering prosecution for an alleged Feb. 19 incident, according to a criminal summons. If he is convicted of the misdemeanor charge during his trial, he could spend up to 12 months in jail.  During a pre-trial conference held in Garrard District Court Thursday, 13th Judicial Circuit Chief District Judge Bill Oliver set Lane's trial for 1 p.m. Oct. 4. He also assigned the case to a Madison County prosecutor to avoid any potential legal conflicts of interest.

LANCASTER - Right in the middle of a heated conflict regarding the 2012-13 Garrard County budget, criminal charges were filed against Magistrate Ronnie Lane for an alleged incident that happened more than three months earlier. Lane, 72, of Lancaster, is accused of second-degree hindering prosecution or apprehension in connection with an alleged incident that happened Feb. 19, according to a criminal summons.  But the misdemeanor charge was not filed until May 29, according to court records.  Lane was allegedly with Misty Barker, 31, of Lancaster, on Feb. 19. Kentucky State Police Trooper David S. Fugate called Barker's cell phone and said he needed to interview her regarding the theft of a concrete saw.  Barker declined to meet with police and allegedly said she was getting into a car with Lane.

The following cases were resolved in Clark District Court Aug. 11 with Judge Earl-Ray Neal presiding. — Jonathan E. Baker, theft by unlawful taking, amended to theft by unlawful taking, pleaded guilty, 360 days, 180 days conditionally discharged. — Joshua R. Blevins, fugitive from another state, amended to misdemeanor, dismissed. — James F. Brantley III, receiving stolen property under $10,000, amended to misdemeanor, pleaded guilty, 60 days, restitution.

I read with interest in your online article about Jackie Horn-Holt, a Jessamine County prosecutor, being arrested for DUI on Sunday. I do hope that (Jessamine County Attorney) Brian Goettl sees fit to prosecute her to the fullest extent of the law, in fact as a citizen of Jessamine County, I demand it. She needs to be behind bars instead of out on the roads endangering the innocent. John Herrington, Nicholasville

Dear Editor, The Obama administration seems intent on destroying former President Bush and the Republican Party, even if they destroy our country along with them. Of course, since they are apparently intent on socialist rule, they can't afford to have a major opposition party. Their release of top secret information regarding interrogation of prisoners is treasonous. I cannot believe all of the sympathy for these murderous cut-throats. I haven't seen any pictures of any of them being beheaded, or doused with gasoline and burned.

Dear Editor, The opinion piece "Thumbs Up - Thumbs Down" for April 3 was untrue at worst, factually inaccurate at best. First of all, Ted Stevens was not "vindicated. " Atty. Gen. Eric Holder decided to dismiss the case against him because the prosecution had failed to share items of evidence with the defense. In my humble opinion, the evidence referred to was not exculpatory, but it might have made the trial a bit more interesting. The evidence stands, and, in the eyes of most Americans, Ted Stevens is just as guilty as he ever was. The Justice Department decided not to conduct a new trail due to his advanced age (87)

Everybody loves a good murder-mystery, and nobody wrote them like Agatha Christie. Thirty-three years after her death, Christie's works draw enthusiastic crowds to theaters to see performances of her spine-tingling tales. Among her most famous works is "Witness for the Prosecution," which opens Friday at West T. Hill Community Theatre. Director Karen Logue talks about the famous murder-mystery, Christie, and the fun of English accents. A-M: What is "Witness for the Prosecution" about?

STANFORD - Prosecutors are going ahead with felony assault and kidnapping charges against Ronald "J.R. " Kennedy, despite the death of the alleged victim a week before the trial was to have begun, The Interior Journal reported Thursday. Carol Hill, assistant Commonwealth's attorney, said a status hearing is scheduled for Kennedy on Nov. 25 in Lincoln Circuit Court to possibly set a new trial date and "come to an agreement on the charges. " Kennedy, 29, of 115 Hazlett Hollow is charged with kidnapping with serious physical injury, first-degree assault and being a persistent felony offender.