Attorneys are waiting on a couple of reports that will have great influence on what happens next in the cases of a woman accused of smothering a man to death in Elkton in September and the man who allegedly helped her steal the victim’s car and other property.
Thirty-one-year-old Krystie Chancey is indicted for murder, several counts of receiving stolen property and theft and for being a persistent felony offender. Kentucky State Police allege that Chancey smothered 61-year old Ted Allan Thompson to death and then used the assistance of 25-year old Russell Walker to steal property from inside the home and Thompson’s car.
Walker is undergoing a mental evaluation at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center and attorney Michael Cotthoff says he’s been told the report that would be used in a competency hearing is expected within 10 days after he’s discharged.
David Graff represents Chancey and is waiting for Commonwealth’s Attorney Neil Kerr to obtain a potential supplemental medical report from the Medical Examiner’s Office.
State police initially said Thompson may have died from natural causes following the initial autopsy, but that changed after the suspects were arrested about a month and a half later in Tennessee and both were interviewed.
Kerr noted that the result of Walker’s evaluation will also have an impact on Chancey’s case.
Another pre-trial conference for both suspects was set for March 11, though Judge Joe Hendricks left open the possibility of having the competency hearing for Walker at a later date if Cotthoff and his client are not ready to proceed at that time.