Thursday’s Kentucky News – October 31st, 2013

KENTUCKY EXECUTIONS-CLEMENCY

2 condemned inmates seek mental exam funds

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Two Kentucky death row inmates are asking a federal appeals court to grant them funding for neuropsychological testing that they hope will lead to a clemency grant.

Condemned inmates Robert Foley and David Eugene Matthews have each filed cases with the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. Both men want the court to overturn decisions by federal judges in Kentucky denying funds.

In both cases, the inmates are seeking the tests to use as part of a clemency bid.

Foley is awaiting execution for the 1991 slayings of Rodney and Lynn Vaughn in Laurel County. Foley is also on death row for four other deaths.

Matthews was condemned for killing his estranged wife, Mary "Marlene" Matthews, and mother-in-law, Magdalene Cruse, in Louisville on June 29, 1981.

KENTUCKY SENATE-COAL

Grimes, McConnell agree on keeping coal plant open

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) —Democrat Alison Grimes has joined Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in urging the Tennessee Valley Authority to keep a coal-fired generating plant operating in western Kentucky.

Grimes, who is running for McConnell's Senate seat, said in a statement that an upgrade would bring the Paradise Fossil Plant at Drakesboro into compliance with federal standards, while closure would have a devastating economic impact.

McConnell met with Tennessee Valley Authority President William Johnson last week to seek continued operation of the generating plant.

TVA is considering whether it should add new emission controls to two coal-fired units that date back to the late 1950s, build a new generating plant powered by natural gas or take no action.

TVA said in a statement last week that officials are "evaluating all options."

MCDONALD'S-GED

McDonald's in 53 counties promoting GED test

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — How about a GED certificate with that Big Mac?

People dining at McDonald's restaurants in 53 Kentucky counties will be encouraged to take the GED test on customer tray liners that will also remind guests that the GED test is changing next year. Anyone who has successfully completed parts of the test must finish by Dec. 18 or scores will expire.

The Council on Postsecondary Education says this is the eighth year for the McDonald's GED campaign. It was started in three restaurants by Joe Graviss, a central Kentucky McDonald's owner/operator and member of the council.

For more information on the GED test, visit http://kyae.ky.gov/students/ged.htm.

WITNESS KILLED

Murder case dismissed when witnesses aren't found

(Information in the following story is from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com )

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Jefferson County judge has dismissed a murder case after prosecutors were unable to get in touch with two key witnesses.

The Courier-Journal reports Judge Angela McCormick Bisig dismissed the case against DeJuan Hammond on Wednesday as attorneys were preparing to make opening statements in circuit court. The case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning prosecutors could seek to try the case again.

Hammond was accused of hiring Steven Pettway to kill Troya Sheckles, a witness in a murder trial against Hammond's brother, Lloyd. Pettway was found guilty of murder this summer and sentenced to 55 years in prison, but the Hammonds have maintained they are innocent.

A spokesman for the commonwealth's attorney's office, Leland Hulbert, said Hammond will remain in jail on other pending cases.

FATAL SHOOTING-ARREST

6 charged with fatal shooting in northern Ky

(Information in the following story is from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.nky.com )

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Four adults and two juveniles have been arrested and charged with taking part in the fatal drive-by shooting of a one-time high school football standout in northern Kentucky.

Covington Police Chief Spike Jones told The Kentucky Enquirer that 18-year-old Hassan Abdullah, 19-year-old Reginald Bates and 18-year-old Eugene Smith were arrested Tuesday night and held on murder charges. A fourth adult, 19-year-old Mikyle Holloway, has been charged with tampering with evidence. The names of the two juveniles were not released.

The arrests of the six stem from the death of 19-year-old Desean Peterson of Covington, who died Monday night at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

All four pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday. Jail records did not list an attorney for any of the men.

LIBRARY CARD TROUBLES

Deputy charged after using new ID for library card

(Information in the following story is from: The Winchester (Ky.) Sun, http://www.centralkynews.com/winchestersun )

WINCHESTER, Ky. (AP) — A deputy jailer in central Kentucky has been charged with impersonating a peace officer after police say he pretended to be the Clark County sheriff while trying to get a library card.

Irvine Police Capt. Adrian McKinney told the Winchester Sun that Stephan Silagy of Estill County went to the library Oct. 21 and asked the clerk for a library card. The clerk told him he needed to present a utility bill to verify his identity and address.

McKinney says Silagy displayed his jailer identification card and flashed it quickly. McKinney quoted Silagy as saying: "Even for the Clark County sheriff?"

Silagy has been suspended pending the outcome of his case.

Silagy is due in court Nov. 1 in Estill District Court. Jail records did not list an attorney.