Bond reduction denied for Oak Grove murder suspect

A request to reduce bond was denied Wednesday morning in Christian Circuit Court for 60-year-old Rodolfo Amaya of Oak Grove, the man accused of shooting 43-year-old Dante Welch to death inside his car in March of this year on New Gritton Avenue.

Public defender Doug Moore argued during a bond hearing that Amaya has no prior criminal history, but Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Bolen said that’s part of what makes his alleged conduct on the day in question so disturbing.

Moore expressed frustration over not having discovery in the case and Judge John Atkins denied the request to reduce the half-million-dollar bond.

A witness reported seeing the incident occur and the suspected murder weapon was found in Amaya’s home, according to the original Oak Grove Police Department arrest report.