(Somerset, Ky.-AP) – Judge Paul Braden has denied a motion to exclude the death penalty in the
case against 35 year old Jeff Morris. Defense Attorney Barbara Carnes had argued
that Morris should not face the death penalty, since the man who has
admitted to killing Pulaski County Sheriff Sam Catron has already received the
lesser penalty of life in prison.
Catron was gunned down in April of last year, while attending a fish fry. The
shooting occurred during Catron's campaign for a fifth term as Pulaski County
Sheriff. 31 year old Danny Shelley entered a guilty plea in March to first-degree
murder in the case. Under terms of a plea agreement, Shelley will testify against
Morris and 55 year old Ken White. Morris and White have entered not guilty
pleas to complicity to murder charges.