In a re-trial held last month in Adair Circuit Court, a jury found Grimes guilty of first degree manslaughter for the beating death of Bernard, which occurred on Nov. 23, 2002 at a mobile home on West Sulphur Road in the Sano community near the Adair-Russell county line.
In a trial in October, 2004, Grimes had been convicted of the same offense, first degree manslaughter, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
However, Grimes' attorney, Public Defender Sandra Downs, appealed the verdict on the grounds that DNA testing on some items which the defense requested had not been completed at the time the trial was held, and the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled that the case be returned to Adair Circuit Court and a new trial held.
In the retrial last month that lasted three days, the jury took less than an hour to find Grimes guilty of first degree manslaughter.
Three other persons in addition to Grimes were charged in connection with Bernard's death. Two of the co-defendants, Chester Voils and Devon Bell, entered guilty pleas to a charge of complicity to manslaughter second degree and received 13-year sentences. The case against the third co-defendant, Barry Stephens, is still pending.
From the Adair Progress, September 25, 2008.
In a re-trial held last month in Adair Circuit Court, a jury found Grimes guilty of first degree manslaughter for the beating death of Bernard, which occurred on Nov. 23, 2002 at a mobile home on West Sulphur Road in the Sano community near the Adair-Russell county line.
In a trial in October, 2004, Grimes had been convicted of the same offense, first degree manslaughter, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
However, Grimes' attorney, Public Defender Sandra Downs, appealed the verdict on the grounds that DNA testing on some items which the defense requested had not been completed at the time the trial was held, and the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled that the case be returned to Adair Circuit Court and a new trial held.
In the retrial last month that lasted three days, the jury took less than an hour to find Grimes guilty of first degree manslaughter.
Three other persons in addition to Grimes were charged in connection with Bernard's death. Two of the co-defendants, Chester Voils and Devon Bell, entered guilty pleas to a charge of complicity to manslaughter second degree and received 13-year sentences. The case against the third co-defendant, Barry Stephens, is still pending.
From the Adair Progress, September 25, 2008.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement