The man accused of the 2018 murder of Tamara Dragoo at the King’s Court Motel on Fort Campbell Boulevard was in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday morning and had his request for a lower bond denied.
Defense attorney Michael Thompson noted that multiple trial dates had to be continued in the last year or so due to issues with evidence and the eventual appointment of a new commonwealth’s attorney and said the delays have not been the fault of his client, 33-year old Terrence Stepp.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Bolen argued none of the delays could have been prevented by her office and asked Judge John Atkins to leave bond at $1 million.
Judge Atkins denied the motion, but expressed an urgency to go forward with trial on the October 16 date or sooner if lawyers can agree on a date.
Stepp spoke on his own behalf and expressed frustration over being jailed for a crime he said he didn’t commit.
One round of mediation toward a potential resolution was unsuccessful and Judge Atkins said a second try could be fruitful if Stepp is looking to go over the evidence in detail. The judge also made letters Stepp mailed to the court regarding the circumstances of his case as confidential, though lawyers from the commonwealth and defense will get to see them.