Kentucky News Now – July 1, 2014

ATTORNEY KILLED

Not guilty plea in Kentucky attorney slaying

(Information in the following story is from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com )

SOMERSET, Ky. (AP) — The man charged with gunning down a prominent Kentucky defense attorney pleaded not guilty but said little else during his first court hearing.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports 40-year-old Clinton Inabnitt appeared with a court-appointed attorney Monday in Pulaski County District Court.

Inabnitt is charged with murder in Friday's death of 57-year-old Mark Stanziano. Police say Inabnitt shot Stanziano several times in front of his Somerset law office. At least three people, including a sheriff's deputy, witnessed the shooting.

Judge Jeffrey Scott Lawless set Inabnitt's bond at $250,000 or twice that amount in property value. If Inabnitt does post bond, Lawless ordered him to house arrest and electronic monitoring.

Inabnitt's next court hearing is scheduled for July 16.

AMAZON HIRING

Amazon hiring 500 in Shepherdsville

SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — More than 500 full-time jobs are being filled at Amazon's distribution center in Shepherdsville.

The company says it is hiring to meet growing demand. Bullitt County Judge-Executive Melanie Roberts said in a company news release that the company's fulfillment center located there contributes to the county's overall economic stability.

The company says the jobs offer benefits including health insurance, a 401(k) plan with match, stock awards and a program to partly cover tuition.

To apply, visit http://www.workatamazonfulfillment.com.

BRIDGE CLOSURE

Bridge to remain closed another week

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says bridge repairs on Kentucky 391 in Hardin County will require closure for another week.

The cabinet said Monday that more deteriorated concrete than expected was encountered and the bridge would be closed until July 7.

The closure is over Otter Creek at mile point 1.2.

Residents on the southern end of Kentucky 391 must access the road from Kentucky 1600, and residents on the northern end must access from Kentucky 1500-Kentucky 144.

CAMP DROWNING

Boy who died at Transylvania identified

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A teenager who died while attending a summer academic camp at Transylvania University has been identified.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the Fayette County coroner's office identified the boy as 13-year-old Ricky Harris III.

The State Journal in Frankfort said the teen was a seventh-grader at Bondurant Middle School in Frankfort.

Officials said he was attending the camp at Transylvania when he lost consciousness during a recreational swim at the university on June 23. He was pronounced dead at University of Kentucky Hospital, and the coroner's office said later he had drowned.

Bondurant teacher Kristy Standifer told the Frankfort newspaper Harris worked hard and often stayed after class when he didn't need to. She said he also worked hard on the football field and was popular with classmates.

LAKE CUMBERLAND-BODY

Pulaski man's body pulled from Lake Cumberland

(Information in the following story is from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com )

SOMERSET, Ky. (AP) — The identity of a south-central Kentucky man whose body was found in Lake Cumberland has been released.

The Pulaski County coroner's office told the Lexington Herald-Leader the man was 32-year-old Justin D. Shelton of Burnside. An autopsy was performed Monday, but officials were awaiting results before releasing a cause of death.

The body was found in the water Sunday morning. David Muse of the coroner's office said initial indications suggest that Shelton's death was accidental.

The case remains under investigation by the Pulaski County sheriff and the Kentucky Water Patrol.

KENTUCKY SENATE

McConnell, Grimes disagree on contraception case

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's two U.S. Senate candidates disagree on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to allow some corporations to opt out of a new law requiring them to pay for contraception.

Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell called the decision a victory for religious freedom. Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes said churches should be allowed to not provide contraception coverage, but not corporations. She said she supports the right of all women to have access to contraception.

It is one of the few times the candidates in one of the country's closest Senate races have sparred on social issues. But more could be coming. McConnell spoke at the National Right to Life convention in Louisville on Saturday. Grimes has said abortion is a choice between a woman, her doctor and her God.

POLICE CHIEF CHARGED

Hodgenville police chief charged with misconduct

(Information in the following story is from: The News-Enterprise, http://www.thenewsenterprise.com )

HODGENVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police have charged the police chief in Hodgenville with official misconduct and hindering prosecution.

A statement from the KSP post in Bowling Green says the charges were filed Friday in a summons against Steven Johnson, who will have a court date in July.

The charges come amid an investigation of former Hodgenville Mayor Terry L. Cruse and City Clerk MaDonna Hornback, who have been indicted on charges of theft and abusing public trust. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Hodgenville Mayor Kenny Devore told The News-Enterprise that the charges won't immediately change Johnson's status as police chief. He said it was common knowledge that police might file charges against Johnson.

FATAL WRECK

Mourners remember family killed in head-on crash

(Information in the following story is from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com )

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Family and friends gathered at a football field in Nicholasville over the weekend to remember a family of five killed in a head-on highway crash.

Steven and Shaila Hibbard and their three children died in the crash on Thursday on US 27 when their station wagon crossed the median and struck a minivan.

On Sunday, hundreds of people who knew the family gathered at the vigil to remember the couple. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that family friend Brandy Tolson called Steven Hibbard "the most loveable redneck ever."

A passenger in the minivan, 48-year-old Angelia D. Poe, of Virginia, was the crash's sixth victim. Four others in the van, which was owned by a Christian ministry, were hurt.

Funeral arrangements at Hager and Cundiff Funeral Home were pending on Monday.

COUPLE KILLED

Couple found dead in Richmond home

RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) — Police in Richmond are investigating after a couple was found dead in their home.

Media report that 42-year-old Avery Evans and 46-year-old Karen Simpson were found dead on Friday by a relative.

Assistant Police Chief Bob Mott told WKYT-TV that Evans' brother went to check on him because he hadn't been able to reach him by phone for a few days. Mott says the brother found the back door smashed open and the couple dead in the living room.

Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelison told The Richmond Register that the victims were slain, but he declined to release details of an autopsy report. He said both had been dead "for a few days" before being found.