Thursday was the 18th birthday of the man who shot a victim in the leg during a robbery gone bad on Short Bethel Street in January of 2019 and he will remain in state custody for now.
Korey Zivotin appeared virtually from the Lake Cumberland Youth Development Center, where he’s been the last 10 weeks to complete two more career readiness certifications, including in welding. Prior to that, he completed several certifications while incarcerated at the Green River Youth Development Center in Butler County.
He’s been in custody since he was 16-years old and he was sentenced to 15 years in 2020 after pleading guilty to second-degree assault and first-degree robbery.
Zivotin had Dylan Stewart at gunpoint during the robbery and shot Stewart in the leg when he became startled in the incident. In another room, Corvyan Thomas was shot and killed and while a jury was unable to convict Shakkory Willis on a murder charge earlier this year, Willis was convicted of robbery, burglary and unlawful transaction with a minor.
Three other suspects in the case also took plea deals for their roles.
Zivotin’s public defender, Angela Slaton, told Judge John Atkins that her client has not had any issues with conduct while in custody, he’s gotten a high school diploma and she asked Judge Atkins to grant him probation.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Bolen opposed any release from custody, saying it would depreciate the seriousness of the crime.
Judge Atkins denied probation at this time, but noted the defense can file a motion for shock probation in 30 days.
Zivotin was transferred from the Department of Juvenile Justice into the custody of the Kentucky Department of Corrections.