Todd County murder suspects back in court

Attorneys for the five suspects accused of being involved in the murder of a man on Stateline Road near Allensville in September have some time to talk with new Commonwealth’s Attorney Neil Kerr before a trial date is set.

Judge Tyler Gill had asked attorneys to be thinking about a trial date in July or November during the last hearing in December, but Kerr said Wednesday morning he’d like some more time to talk to lawyers for Daniel Westbrook, Douglas Cropper, Timmie Latham, Faith Martin and Brandi Scruggs.

Judge Gill says that they could still go to trial in July, but he can’t speak for what happens after then because his circumstances are changing.

Westbrook allegedly shot Jerry Robertson three times after Scruggs drove the victim in a car to an area just north of KY 848 on Stateline Road. A pickup occupied by Westbrook and the three other suspects passed the car and then stopped in their path of travel, according to the KSP warrant, which says all five suspects fled in the pickup after Westbrook fired the weapon that Cropper provided to him.

Kerr made it known that he once served as conflict counsel for Scruggs in an unrelated case, but her attorney agreed there’s likely no need for him to be recused.

State Police submitted a new search warrant for phone records of Martin, with Judge Gill signing that order. Several of the lawyers notified Judge Gill they have obtained private investigators.

Westbrook is charged with murder, while the other four are charged with complicity to murder and additional related counts.

Another pretrial conference was scheduled for February 6th at 8:30 a.m. when a trial date could be scheduled.

Scruggs                                                                                                 Westbrook


Latham                                                                                                  Martin

Cropper