James Gentry finally appeared in Trigg Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon for final sentencing in the 2018 killing of Keith Joey Hayes, where Judge C.A. Woody Woodall sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years.
Gentry was out on bond in July while actively on trial in Trigg County for the fatal shooting of Hayes, when he cut off his ankle monitor and fled Hopkinsville. The jury ultimately found him guilty of murder and robbery in his absence.
Gentry was ultimately located and arrested by the U.S. Marshal’s Service in San Diego County, California, and he was extradited back to Christian County, where he was then returned to Trigg County Wednesday for sentencing.
The proceedings started with Gentry telling the judge he hasn’t received any paperwork, specifically the pre-sentencing investigation report, with Judge Woodall telling that’s because he hasn’t been around.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Carrie Ovey-Wiggins asked the judge to honor the jury’s recommended sentence, which Judge Woodall agreed with.
Neither Gentry nor his attorney spoke on his behalf during the proceedings.
Judge Woodall then sentenced him to life in prison without parole eligibility for 25 years, with defense attorney Michael Thompson saying he intends to file a notice of appeal, and a motion to withdraw as Gentry’s defense counsel.
Gentry is facing additional charges in Christian County of tampering with a prisoner monitoring device for cutting off his ankle monitor.