Walker to answer to tampering charges

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Reporter- Lauren Adams

Story Created: Fri Oct 12, 2012 11:07 AM

Story Updated: Fri Oct 12, 2012 6:39 PM

CALLOWAY COUNTY, KY-   Early Friday morning, Circuit Judge Dennis Foust issued a ruling denying the motion to dismiss six tampering charges the Commonwealth brought against Jerry Walker.

 

Commonwealth's Attorney Mark Blankenship, who filed the charges, previously told the judge he was not trying to persecute walker, just prosecute him.

Walker's initial trial back in 2001 ended in a hung jury.  Then, in July another jury acquitted Walker on charges of manslaughter and wanton endangerment.

Days later, the Commonwealth came forward with those new charges, stemming from a series of letters Walker admitted to authoring in the days following the fire.

But father and son legal team Dennis and Richard Null argued Walker's right to due process was being violated.

But in the judge's ruling Foust wrote "the defendant's right to speedy trial has not been violated." It was also written the Commonwealth had not acted in a quote 'legally vindictive' manner.' The court also found the Commonwealth did not intentionally delay bringing the charges for a tactical advantage.

Jerry Walker will be back in court November 13.

The 1998 fire killed Murray State sophomore Michael Minger.  Minger died of smoke inhalation trying to escape.  Another student was seriously injured.