Pretrial conference set for Bethel Street murder suspect

Another pretrial hearing was set for Bethel Street murder suspect Shakkory Willis in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday morning.

Willis, who is accused in the shooting death of Corvyan Thomas in January of 2019, appeared with defense attorney Eric Bearden, who requested the additional pretrial conference to allow for more time to reach a possible resolution.

Bearden says he has received all the witness testimony along with co-defendant testimony—Willis’ codefendants in the attempted robbery case, including James Yates, Lane Carter, Korey Zivotin, Tia Oochs and Madison Wilson, have taken various plea deals for charges in that case, and it comes with the condition they must testify in trial.

Judge John Atkins set a pretrial conference for April 1, where they could also hear arguments in a bond hearing.

Willis is charged with murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and unlawful transaction with a minor. Willis is accused of shooting Thomas in an attempted robbery, where Dylan Stewart was also shot in the leg during the incident.