Bond modification denied, trial date set in Hazel Street murder case

Bond modification was denied and a trial date was set Wednesday in Christian Circuit Court for Leon Grimes, the man charged in the 2021 shooting death of Calvin Buckner.

Grimes is represented by defense attorney Ted Shouse, who requested that his client’s bond be modified from the $500,000 full cash it is now due to continued delays in proceedings that are not Grimes’ fault, including the recent departure of the previous Commonwealth’s Attorney and the discovery of evidence that had not been turned over to the defense.

Current Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Bolen says she understands that argument, but the circumstances are also not her office’s fault, and Grimes has a lengthy criminal history that makes her object to potentially changing his bond.

Christian Circuit Judge Andrew Self denied the request for bond modification, citing the seriousness of the current charge and the criminal history, but also that the Commonwealth is ready to go to trial soon.

A trial date was set for July 31 and another pretrial hearing was scheduled for June 28.

Grimes is alleged to have shot Calvin Buckner in the chest at a party on Hazel Street in July of 2021, and Shouse informed the court Wednesday that he does intend to argue self-defense at trial.