PDF download of this document

OFFICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
30^th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
THOMAS B. WINE, COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY

Media Release: October 29, 2020

Attention: Assignment Editor
Director of Communications: Jeff Cooke
Office: (502) 595-2300 Ext. 3027
Cell / Text: (502) 262-5809
E-mail: jcooke@louisvilleprosecutor.com

After a three day trial, a jury in Division Eight of Jefferson Circuit Court has convicted Antoine Offutt for the September 11, 2017 robbery of the Thornton’s Gas Station located on 1501 Dixie Highway.  The testimony presented at trial told how Offutt entered the gas station, and immediately ran behind the checkout counter and ordered the clerks to “Give me everything you got”. All three victims/employees, who were all standing behind the counter, hesitated due to fear.  After two of them got past him, the defendant became more agitated and pulled out a knife, grabbed Victim 1 by the arm, put his knife up to her stomach, and stated, “OPEN IT UP BEFORE I KILL YOU!!” Victim 1 opened the register and the defendant removed business cash from inside the register till. After obtaining business cash, the defendant fled on foot.   A patron followed the defendant to the 2100 block of West Hill Street, where he subsequently flagged down a responding officer. Offutt was identified and immediately taken into custody. At time of arrest, Offutt threw down two knives- one of which was used in the robbery; all in an attempt to conceal evidence of the crime. Offutt had the stolen business cash on his possession, and was wearing the same clothing as observed in the businesses’ surveillance video, at time of arrest.

The jury found Offutt guilty but mentally ill to the offences of Robbery in the First Degree (1 count) Robbery in the Second Degree (2 counts), Tampering with Physical Evidence and being a Persistent Felony Offender in the First Degree.  Today the jury recommended a sentence of twenty years.

Final sentencing is set for December 16, 2020.

Following the trial Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Elizabeth Jones Brown commended the jurors for serving the community and assuring that victims receive justice despite the health concerns presented by the COVID pandemic.  She also complimented Judge McKay Chauvin for insuring that the trial was conducted in such a manner that all participants were kept safe and treated fairly. 

Joining Ms. Jones Brown as prosecutor was Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Lashae Richie. 

OFFICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
30^th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
THOMAS B. WINE, COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY

Attention: Assignment Editor
Director of Communications: Jeff Cooke
Office: (502) 595-2340 Ext. 3027
Cell / Text: (502) 262-5809
E-mail: jcooke@louisvilleprosecutor.com

Statement by Thomas B. Wine in response to August 31, 2020 Facebook posts by Sam Aguiar: Re Breonna Taylor as Co-Defendant in the Jamarcus Glover case.

Media release details in PDF download.

OFFICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
30^th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
THOMAS B. WINE, COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY

Media Release: May 22, 2020

Attention: Assignment Editor
Director of Communications: Jeff Cooke
Office: (502) 595-2300 Ext. 3027

The full video of today’s press conference is available on WLKY: Commonwealth’s attorney recommends dismissing Kenneth Walker case for now.

https://www.wlky.com/article/commonwealths-attorney-recommends-dismissing-kenneth-walker-case-for-now-breona/32645058

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OFFICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
30^th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
THOMAS B. WINE, COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY

Media Release: May 13, 2020

Attention: First Assistant
Commonwealth’s Attorney: Erwin Roberts
Office: (502) 595-2300

Today our office requested that the Kentucky Attorney General appoint a special prosecutor to review the results of the investigation being conducted by the Public Integrity Unit of the Louisville Metro Police Department into the death of Breonna Taylor.

A PDF copy of the letter making the request is attached.

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PDF download of this document

UPDATE: This has been superseded by order 2020-16.

Supreme Court of Kentucky
2020-09
AMENDED ORDER
IN RE: KENTUCKY COURT OF JUSTICE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 EMERGENCY

On March 6, 2020, Governor Beshear entered Executive Order 2020-215 and declared a State of Emergency in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency in the Commonwealth. In light of this measure and to protect the health and safety of court employees, elected officials, and the general public, and under Section 116 of the Constitution and Supreme Court Rule 1.010, the Supreme Court hereby ORDERS the following measures to be implemented from Monday, March 16, to Friday, April 10, 2020:

1. With the exception of emergency and time-sensitive matters, including but not limited to, domestic violence hearings, emergency custody hearings, evidentiary hearings in criminal cases, in-custody arraignments, in-custody preliminary hearings under RCr 3.10, in-custody bond motions, and in-custody probation violation hearings, all in-person appearances for civil and criminal dockets shall be canceled. Judges are encouraged to use telephonic or video technology for all necessary hearings, including arraignments and mental-health hearings.
2. All civil trials, hearings, and motions shall be postponed and rescheduled for a later date. Any civil trial or hearing currently in progress shall be continued or completed at the discretion of the presiding judge.
3. Reasonable attempts shall be made to reschedule all criminal trials, subject to a defendant’s right to a speedy trial.
4. With the exception of emergency matters and hearings statutorily required to be held, small claims, eviction, juvenile, probate, traffic, and guardianship cases shall be continued.
5. Courtroom attendance shall be limited to attorneys, parties, and necessary witnesses.
6. A case involving an attorney or party who is ill or in a high-risk category shall be rescheduled.
7. Judges shall issue summonses in lieu of bench warrants or notices of
   failure to appear.
8. All show cause dockets for payment of fines and court costs scheduled
   within this timeframe shall be continued for 60 days.
9. The 20-day preliminary hearing requirement for out-of-custody
   defendants under RCr 3.10 is waived during the effective dates of this
   Order.
10. Jurors who are ill, caring for someone who is ill, or in a high-risk
    category shall have their jury service postponed to a later date.
11. New juror orientations shall be suspended.
12. Existing jury panels may be extended at the discretion of the court.
13. Attorneys are encouraged to use e-Filing.
14. Drop boxes should be used for conventionally filed documents if
    available.
15. Signage shall be posted at all public entry points advising individuals
    not to enter the building if they have:
    a. In the previous 14 days, visited China, Iran, South Korea, any European countries, or any other high-risk countries identified by the CDC;
    b. Resided with or been in close contact with someone who has been
    in any of those countries within the previous 14 days;
    c. Traveled domestically within the United States where COVID-19
    has sustained widespread community transmission;
    d. Been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital, or health
    agency;
    e. Been diagnosed with or have had contact with anyone who has
    been diagnosed with COVID-19; or
    f. A fever, cough or shortness of breath.
16. Individuals attempting to enter in violation of these protocols shall be
    denied entrance by a bailiff or court security officer.
17. Bailiffs shall discourage congregating outside courtroom doors and
    encourage social distancing inside the courtroom.
18. Individuals with legitimate court business who are ill, caring for
    someone who is ill or in a high-risk category are advised to stay home
    and request a continuance by calling the local Office of Circuit Court
    Clerk.

Nothing in this Order shall preclude the chief district and chief circuit judges from implementing additional local restrictions as needed. This Order shall be effective from March 16, 2020, to April 10, 2020, or until further Order of this Court.

Entered this 13th day of March 2020.

Signed, CHIEF JUSTICE John Minton

All sitting; all concur.

Changes from 2020-08 (PDF of original) order:

Section 1 original: With the exception of emergency matters, domestic violence hearings, and evidentiary hearings in criminal cases, all in-person appearances for civil and criminal dockets shall be canceled. Judges are encouraged to use telephonic or video technology for all necessary hearings, including arraignments and mental health hearings.

Section 15a original: Visited China, Iran, South Korea, any European countries, or any other high-risk countries identified by the CDC in the previous 14 days;