A request for bond reduction on behalf of murder suspect Jacob Gilstrap was once again denied in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.
Gilstrap is one of the suspects charged with murder, first-degree criminal abuse, knowing abuse/neglect of an adult, knowingly exploiting an adult over $300 and eight counts of second-degree cruelty to animals in the death of his father, 70-year-old Anthony Wayne Gilstrap. Defense attorney David Rye argued for a bond reduction, saying the current bond of $500,000 is impossible for Gilstrap to meet and his co-defendant was granted a reduction while facing the same charges.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling says his office was against the bond reduction co-defendant Ann Harrison and they’re against reduction for Gilstrap as well, especially as they consider him more culpable than Harrison.
Ultimately, Judge Andrew Self agreed with the Commonwealth and denied the request. A pretrial hearing was set for March 22 for both Gilstrap and Harrison.
Anthony Gilstrap died at ContinueCARE Hospital in Madisonville, due to the state of his health from when Jacob Gilstrap and Harrison 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.