A Christian County Grand Jury returned several indictments Friday, including for wanton endangerment and assault of an officer.
Indicted on charges of third-degree assault of a police officer, second-degree fleeing or evading police and two counts of resisting arrest is 42-year old Tasha Blane of Hopkinsville. She allegedly fled from police when they attempted to serve her with an arrest warrant in December and was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit, allegedly ignoring commands to stop. While being placed in a cruiser, she allegedly kicked and fought with officers, before spitting them repeatedly. She allegedly admitted to jumping from a second story window of a home when officers had stop to serve her the warrants previously.
Indicted for three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment is 29-year old Chase Cooper of Hopkinsville, who allegedly pulled on the steering wheel of a vehicle that a female was driving after he became angry during an argument. The action reportedly caused the vehicle to run off the road and crash into a field. A different female victim, who was a passenger in the car, was transported to Jennie Stuart Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.
Thirty-year old Benjamin Murray of Hopkinsville is indicted on charges of first-degree wanton endangerment, fleeing or evading police, DUI, driving on a DUI suspended license, receiving a stolen firearm, tampering with evidence, possession of a handgun by a felon, carrying a concealed deadly weapon and possession of cocaine.
The indictment alleges that in December, Officers were dispatched to 305 Pardue at about 4:30 a.m. regarding 30-year old Benjamin Murray being on his way to that address with a gun. Murray was already in the driveway when police arrived and he allegedly drove into the grass and abandoned the SUV on foot, leaving behind a small child with the vehicle still in drive. Murray ran through several back yards before being caught near 2802 South Virginia Street.
Police back-tracked Murray’s path and located two handguns—one which was stolen. A search of the vehicle allegedly revealed containers of alcohol and a baggie of cocaine.