Two elder abuse murder suspects arraigned in circuit court

The two suspects facing murder charges along with elder abuse were arraigned in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.

Jacob Gilstrap and Ann Harrison appeared before Christian Circuit Judge Andrew Self, who accepted not-guilty pleas on their behalf and explained to Gilstrap that he will receive representation from an out of county public defender’s office, due to a conflict in the local office.

Public defender Doug Moore will be representing Harrison and Judge Self set a pretrial hearing for both suspects on October 19.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jerad Smith says there is a significant amount of evidence to go through in this case, and he will be sending it to the defense as soon as possible.

The suspects are charged with first-degree criminal abuse, knowing abuse/neglect of an adult, knowingly exploiting an adult over $300, eight counts of second-degree cruelty to animals and murder. The victim in the case, 70-year-old Anthony Wayne Gilstrap, died recently at ContinueCARE Hospital in Madisonville, due to the state of his health while they were reportedly his caretakers.

They allegedly forced Anthony Gilstrap to live alone in deplorable conditions inside a camper outside of their Timberline Circle home between March 1 and July 10. Medical staff reported signs of sepsis, gangrene, an open wound to the bone of the victim’s leg and numerous pressure ulcers consistent with neglect. Bilateral leg amputations were necessary, according to the warrant.