RICHMOND —
Attorneys for a couple sentenced to five years in prison are seeking shock probation for their clients.
Madison Circuit Judge William Clouse said he would take the possibility of shock probation for Stewart M. and Jennifer A. Shuman under advisement, but did not speak favorably of the couple’s prospects at their June sentencing.
Attorneys Timothy Despotes and Sarah Zuercher are defending Stewart and Jennifer, respectively. Both are 23 years old and former residents of Mt. Rushmore Drive where they admitted to keeping their children locked in a room covered in feces inside the home.
“She was on bond for six months and did really well,” Zuercher said Thursday during the hearing.
Shock probation may be granted only for non-violent, felony offenders with no prior criminal offenses, according to Kentucky law.
During the couple’s June sentencing, Clouse reminded the couple that “Even a snake takes care of its own.”
The two were each sentenced on two charges of second-degree criminal abuse, a Class D felony. Five years is the maximum allowable sentence under state law.
The couple was arrested Sept. 8 after Richmond police officers found their two sons locked in a bedroom, according to their report. The room was “covered from floor to ceiling with feces from both children” and door had been tied closed with a bungee cord, the arresting officer wrote.
Jennifer Shuman reportedly told police the children had been kept in the room for about a week because she and her husband could not control them. The children also had numerous bruises, and the younger child had bite marks on his arms, the police report stated.
At a May court hearing, the Shumans both admitted they had placed the children in an “unsafe and potentially harmful” environment.
During that same hearing, Despotes asked Clouse if probation for Stewart would be possible because of his client’s “clean criminal history.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jennifer Smith strongly voiced opposition to probation.
“These two boys were kept bungee-corded in a room with nothing but a Styrofoam chair and a television,” she said. “The one boy was biting the other boy while his parents sat in the living room. The parents have got to be held accountable.”
A date for Clouse’s ruling for or against shock probation was not finalized during Thursday’s proceedings.
The two remain lodged in the Madison County Detention Center.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Jennifer A. Shuman
-
Stewart M. Shuman
Related Links
Probation sought for couple who left kids in filthy room
- Local News
-
-
White Hall teachers say farewell for the summer
White Hall Elementary kindergarten assistant Patti Von Fischer said she found a poem on the Internet that seemed to fit the last day of school perfectly.
“The teachers jumped out of the windows; the principals ran for the door; the nurse and librarian bolted; they’re not coming back anymore,” Von Fischer read over the loudspeaker Friday before students left for the summer. -
Benson will be state’s third highest paid university president
When Michael Benson begins his tenure as the 12th president of Eastern Kentucky University on Aug. 1, his $400,000 salary plus benefits will make him Kentucky’s third-highest paid state university president.
Benson’s pay will be less only than that of Eli Capilouto, president of the University of Kentucky, $500,000 a year, and Gary Ransdell, president of Western Kentucky University, $423,588 a year, according to figures obtained from the state Council on Post-secondary education. -
Richmond post troopers recognized at annual ceremony
The Kentucky State Police announced the 2012 Trooper of the Year, Detective of the Year, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer of the Year and other awards for acts of bravery, life-saving, professionalism and dedication to duty Friday at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort.
-
Second-grade classroom receives recognition for reading nearly 1,400 books
A project at Mayfield Elementary School has received recognition across state lines from a woman who found a balloon released in celebration of one classroom having read more than 1,000 books.
Second-grade teacher Wanda Wilson started the school year by challenging her 22 students to read a total of 1,000 books by the end of the school year. -
Pets of the Week
This week's cat is an 8-week-old female kitten. This week's dog is 1-year-old Nicki, a spayed female who does not care for horses, according to her previous owner.
-
Father/Daughter Dance is June 14 at RAAC
Dads and daughters will take to the dance floor Friday, June 14, for the second annual Father/Daughter Dance to benefit the Hope’s Wings Domestic Violence Program.
The ball will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Richmond Area Arts Center, 399 W. Water St. -
Three Richmond thefts reported Tuesday-Thursday
Richmond police are investigating thefts reported from Tuesday through Thursday.
An employee of Baptist Health, Eastern Bypass, reported Thursday that her vehicle had been broken into during the evening and a small shoulder purse was stolen. The purse contained several debit/credit cards, $70 in cash, and a Pantech slider cellular telephone. Estimated loss: $595. -
Paul plans re-election bid for U.S. Senate in 2016
Republican Rand Paul will run for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2016 regardless of any decision to launch a presidential bid. And he will campaign for his Kentucky colleague and Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2014.
-
‘Etta May’s On Her Way’ for Model Lab benefit
Laughter will fill Eastern Kentucky University’s Keen Johnson Ballroom June 8 when southern comedienne Etta May comes to town for Model Laboratory School’s first annual fundraising event.
Half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to help five Model programs: Scholarships, gifted programs, the arts, athletics and extended field trips or exchange programs, said school psychologist Ellen Rini. -
Court hearing reveals errors in trafficking case’s investigative file
A discrepancy in police records led to an unusual hearing in a drug trafficking case Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
The attorney for 49-year-old Carla Rae Clontz made a motion earlier this month for a bill of particulars hearing. Both the prosecution and defense attorneys had noticed problems with the file numbers in Clontz’ case, and there also were different reports of the number of pills sheriff’s deputies allege were found in her home. - More Local News Headlines
-
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
