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David Daugherty confers with his attorney, Meena Mohanty, after a jury convicted him Wednesday of second-degree manslaughter and sentenced him to 10 years in prison. Daugherty will be eligible for parole after serving two years in prison and has already spent 11 months custody.
10 years for manslaughter in Adkins’ death
It took less than two hours Wednesday morning for a jury to convict David Daugherty of second-degree manslaughter for the Dec. 23, 2008, shooting death of Christopher Shane Adkins, and only 16 minutes for that jury to set a 10-year sentence.
The jury retired to begin deliberations shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday after Madison Circuit Judge William G. Clouse dismissed the jury to the jury room, and a verdict was returned at 11 a.m.
Jurors were permitted to find a guilty verdict on a charge of murder, first- or second-degree manslaughter or reckless homicide for Adkins’ death. The jury instructions also included information on how the concept of self-defense is defined in state law to allow jurors to consider that Daughtery killed Adkins to protect himself.
Daugherty used a 12-gauge shotgun to kill Adkins outside a home in the 5500 block of Battlefield Memorial Highway near Berea around 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2008.
Testimony in the trial centered on whether Adkins was continuing to threaten Daugherty and another man, Adam Anglin, after Adkins shattered a window on Daugherty’s pickup truck with an aluminum bat.
After the jury returned the guilty verdict, prosecutors opened the sentencing phase of the trial by introducing the state parole eligibility guidelines.
Under those guidelines, Daugherty will be eligible for parole after serving 20 percent of his sentence, which equals two years in custody.
Daugherty’s attorneys, public defenders Meena Mohanty and Sarah Bryant, called Daugherty’s mother and brother to testify along with a deputy jailer from the Madison County Detention Center, where Daugherty has been held for nearly a year.
In her brief closing argument, Mohanty had asked jurors to impose a five-year sentence.
“We believe a five-year sentence is appropriate,” Mohanty said.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jennifer Hall Smith chose not to ask the jury to impose a specific sentence in her closing argument, but did explain the parole eligibility guidelines, including the fact that Daugherty will be parole eligible in a maximum of two years.
After the jury returned the 10-year sentence, Smith declined comment but did say prosecutors were “pleased” with the verdict and sentence.
Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.
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EKU to host National Junior Classical League Convention
The 2011 convention of the National Junior Classical League will take place July 25-30 at Eastern Kentucky University.
Up to 1,600 high school students from around the country who study Latin or Greek language and history are expected to attend, said Bari Clements, a Latin teacher at Madison Central High School who will co-chair the event with Kathy Elifrits of Covington Latin High School. -
Arts Gala, Pottery Festival kick off autumn activities
A nearly non-stop string of festivals and other fall events starts on Friday.
The Richmond Area Arts Council will get things going on Friday with its 20th annual Arts Gala at the home of Marilyn and Ralph Hacker, beginning at 5 p.m. It will be highlighted by a 6:30 p.m. dinner show with the Cool Waters cowboy band. For tickets, visit www.artsinrichmond.org or call 624-4242.
On Saturday and Sunday, the sixth annual Great American Pottery Festival with eight potters demonstrating their craft will take place in Richmond’s Irvine McDowell Park. More than 40 arts and crafts vendors will have their wares for purchase. Although getting a chance to turn mud into a pot or vase is great fun for children of all ages, the annual Kids Fest on Saturday in the park will have loads of other entertainment for youngsters. Both events are free. -
Alford plea for two suspected in Iowa robbery
Two men accused of an Iowa bank robbery pleaded guilty Thursday in Madison Circuit Court to receiving stolen property less than $10,000, a Class D felony.
Both men entered Alford pleas. By entering an Alford plea, a defendant admits that enough evidence exists for prosecutors to convince a jury the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but does not actually admit to performing the crime of which they are accused. -
Delinquent taxpayers given warning to pay
The City of Richmond is giving those who owe delinquent property taxes a chance to pay before their name and owed amount appear in the Richmond Register.
The names of those who owe and how much they owe the city is scheduled to be published as a legal advertisement in the newspaper Saturday, Sept. 25. The deadline to pay before the name and amount are listed is Tuesday, Sept. 21 by 4:30 p.m.
The delinquent taxes being sought are for 2009, and bills for 2010 collections will be mailed out on Oct. 1. -
Hearing delayed for 3 accused of violating graves
A mandatory state furlough day Friday delayed a pretrial conference for three people accused of damaging graves at Richmond Cemetery.
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Voting resumes for playground ‘Refresh’ grant
Supporters of a playground accessible for handicapped children at Lake Reba Park have resumed their effort to win a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.
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Commissioner: No one should take credit for street paving
A recent door-to-door excursion by a Richmond city commissioner was a way to say “Thank You,” rather than take credit for city services, he said.
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Lots of choices on November’s ballot
When Madison Countians go to the polls Nov. 2, there will be plenty of choices to make.
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Hudson to retire from Pattie A. Clay
Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center’s president and chief executive officer will retire next year, the hospital announced Friday.
In 2010, Pattie A. Clay will complete 118 years of providing healthcare for Madison and the surrounding counties. The year 2010 will also mark the sixth and final year that Robert J. Hudson will serve as the hospital’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Hudson will be retiring next spring with 33 total years of service to Pattie A. Clay. -
Richmond man pleads guilty to robbing stores
A Richmond man accused of robbing three check cashing stores in Richmond and Berea, pleaded guilty in Madison Circuit Court on Thursday, as part of a plea agreement.
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EKU to host National Junior Classical League Convention
