Trial got underway Thursday morning in Christian Circuit Court for 30-year-old Keith Kuzyk, the man charged with attempted murder for shooting Hopkinsvile Police Officer Jeremy Davidson at the end of a pursuit in February of 2019.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling and Public Defender Rick Sandborne each gave their opening statements, with Boling detailing the theft of two vehicles and two pursuits—one that was called off in Clarksville and one of an SUV driven by Kuzyk that came to a stop on North Drive near Sanderson Drive.
Boling says Kuzyk fired a total of 11 shots from an assault rifle and two of those bullets struck Officer Davidson—one going through his shoulder and the other grazing the back of his head.
Boling noted that Officer Davidson tried to disengage from the pursuit after the bullet struck his shoulder and the next bullet that hit his head came through a side window as he was seeking medical treatment—meaning Kuzyk intended to kill—not just get away.
Public Defender Rick Sandborne didn’t argue that Kuzyk wasn’t driving the SUV or that he didn’t fire the gun, but says there’s no way the Commonwealth can use the evidence it has to prove he attempted to murder Officer Davidson.
He also argued that Officer Davidson’s injuries were not serious enough to mee the standard for first-degree assault, noting he was sent home from Skyline Medical Center to recover the next day.
Officer Davidson himself took the stand in the afternoon, describing the events leading up to the pursuit that resulted in him being shot. He says they had been issued a ‘be on the lookout’ call for the stolen vehicle, which he spotted near the bowling alley on Canton Street, but when he attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle fled. The pursuit continued down North Drive, over spike strips, and that when he saw flashes of light come from the suspect’s vehicle, and he was struck with gunfire.
He says while he was treated and released from Skyline Medical Center in Nashville the next day, he continued treatments through Jennie Stuart Medical Center for some time to fully recover. Officer Davidson told the jury he believes that Kuzyk was trying to shoot him, not disable his police cruiser.
Co-defendants and sisters September and Autumn Neblett also testified in the afternoon, along with Christian County Sheriff deputies Jack Rowlands and Shawn Bean, explaining what they remember from the events and who was present when they occurred. In addition to the assault and attempted murder charges, Kuzyk is charged with fleeing or evading police, wanton endangerment, receiving stolen property and felony auto theft.
Trial is set to continue Friday morning.