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Death penalty possible in Nunn's case

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By JEFFREY McMURRAY/AP
November 11, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Former Kentucky lawmaker Steve Nunn was indicted on a capital murder charge Tuesday, nearly two months after his arrest in the shooting death of his ex-fiancee.

Fayette Circuit Judge Kim Bunnell read the charges handed down by a Fayette County grand jury, which included one count of murder and one count of violating an emergency protective order. The order was obtained months before Amanda Ross was shot and killed Sept. 11 outside her Lexington home.

Nunn, the son of former Gov. Louie Nunn, did not attend. He remained held without bond on the murder charge.

His arraignment was set for Nov. 19. Nunn pleaded not guilty to the charges a week after his arrest.

His attorney, Warren Scoville, did not immediately return a message.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Larson met with the grand jury Tuesday but declined to comment about the case. Larson hasn’t said if he will seek the death penalty.

The Louisville Courier-Journal reported Nunn’s daughters Courtney, 25, and Mary, 28, testified before the grand jury. Courtney left the closed session crying. Both women declined to comment, the paper reported.

Last week, Nunn was indicted in Hart County on wanton endangerment charges stemming from his arrest at a cemetery where he was accused of firing a gun near six police officers hours after Ross was killed. Police found the former lawmaker with self-inflicted cuts on his wrists.

 




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 3 Total Comments
3.
    Posted by RangerDanger November 11, 2009
I'd hate to be the judge/jury in this case. If you give him death (if he's found guilty, remember, unless you were there and saw it happen, you don't know he did), then you're just making an example of him. If you don't give him death, you are playing favorites.

No matter how it's called, someone's gonna complain.

2.
    Posted by Misty Sunrise November 11, 2009
Judy, you're right. Mr. Nunn's execution won't bring Ms. Ross back, but it will send a strong message to those who are domestic abusers, especially if they already have an emergency protection order against/on them.

Now, when are they going to put child killers on the list, too?

1.
    Posted by judyperkins1 November 11, 2009
Yes, Dteve Nunn deserves the death penalty. Although giving Steve Nunn the death penalty will not bring Amanda Ross back, it will be justice for Amanda. Such a senseless, deliberate murder. According to Kentucky Revised Statutes he is death penalty eligible. No excuse as to who you are. How many more senseless deaths must happen before Kentucky opens their eyes to domestic violence? Rest in peace Amanda. Judy La Rone Perkins

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