Trial has been delayed the case against double-murder suspect Anthony Gaines—because the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office is intending to seek the death penalty.
There was a slew of motions on the table for Gaines in the Christian Circuit Courtroom of Judge Andrew Self Monday morning, and the first one up for consideration was a motion from his defense attorney Brandi Jones to push back trial from its July date.
This comes after the Commonwealth expressed its intent to pursue the death penalty, and Judge Self granted the continuance, saying this is a situation that requires the utmost due diligence, and every one wants to get it right.
The judge also granted a motion to compel filed by the defense to have the Hopkinsville Police Department present requested records, with Jones saying they’ve had problems trying to get that information. He also urged all parties to have the bulk of any further motions filed by July 31, in time to be discussed at an August 18 pre-trial conference.
It’s his hope to set a new trial date at that time as well, with the understanding that that trial will likely not take place in 2025.
Judge Self says he will make a ruling on a pending motion to suppress certain information in the case, saying he knows the defense needs to move forward in the case properly.
Motions for competency hearings on two young children who are witnesses in the case were granted, to see if those children are able to take the witness stand. Jones says she intends to file more motions in the coming weeks, including a motion to exclude the death penalty.
Gaines was arrested in connection to the shooting deaths of Kierra Wallace and George Gomez near Peach Street in 2021. He is charged with two counts of murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, tampering with physical evidence and four counts of wanton endangerment.
Gaines has denied an attempt to settle the case with an Alford plea agreement—the Commonwealth has said they will not make another offer and will move forward with trial.