A Christian County grand jury will hear the murder case against the man accused of shooting Calvin Buckner to death at a 4th of July Party on Hazel Street, following a preliminary hearing Friday morning in Christian District Court.
Hopkinsville Police Detective Jason Sears testified that Buckner and the girlfriend of the suspect—39-year-old Leon Grimes—were in an argument as the party was winding down. Grimes intervened and that’s when he allegedly shot Buckner in the chest.
Grimes reportedly admitted to intervening in the argument, but said he didn’t kill Buckner.
Detective Sears testified that Buckner was also armed with a handgun, but it was still holstered when police arrived and attempted to render him medical aid.
Louisville attorney Ted Shouse is representing Grimes and pressed for names of the three witnesses who identified Grimes as the shooter and while they were not revealed in open court to protect their safety, Judge Foster Cotthoff said the defense will have access to that information.
Detective Sears says Grimes’ girlfriend and others said during interviews that most people at the party were under the influence of alcohol.
Judge Cotthoff ruled there was probable cause that a felony had been committed and bound the case over for consideration by a grand jury. He also left Grimes’ bond at $500,000.