A motion for bond modification was approved for Ann Harrison—the woman charged with murder in relation to the death of an elderly victim—Wednesday in Christian Circuit Court.
The decision came after arguments from both the defense and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, with Harrison’s lawyers contending that she had no knowledge of the state of the victim in the case nor his living conditions. The victim, 70-year-old Anthony Wayne Gilstrap, reportedly resided in an RV outside of Harrison’s residence on Timberline Circle in Oak Grove, and she says he lived with his son, her co-defendant, Jacob Gilstrap.
Defense attorney Stephanie Mize says Harrison had no control of the situation and when she did become aware of it, she contacted outside sources to get help.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling strongly disagreed, arguing that Harrison was no bystander, citing the taking out of a life insurance policy on the victim that had her name on it.
Ultimately, Judge Andrew Self did grant the modification to bond, saying that Harrison will be on home incarceration once released, including an ankle monitor.
Another pretrial hearing was set for January 25. Harrison and Jacob Gilstrap 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. Anthony Gilstrap died at ContinueCARE Hospital in Madisonville, due to the state of his health while they were reportedly his caretakers.
They allegedly forced him 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.