By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
One of the rights guaranteed to defendants and victims is that of a speedy trial, but sometimes the wheels of justice move slower than at others. Carter County Circuit Court Judge, the Honorable Rebecca Phillips, heard a motion last Monday to reduce the bond in an attempted murder case, and set a hearing for June 11 in a December shooting. Paul Hensley, 41, of Morehead, remains incarcerated in the Carter County Detention Center on a number of charges related to an Olive Hill shooting that took place on the evening of December 17. Hensley is accused of shooting Jonathan Bowling following a verbal altercation. Hensley, a previously convicted felon, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance, and attempted murder in the shooting.
The judge also set a pretrial conference date in the alleged rape case against 39 year old Joshua Lewis, of Sandy Hook. Lewis was arrested in September of last year on charges of first degree sodomy and first degree rape.
In the case against Brandon Morgan, 48, of Grayson, the judge set a pretrial conference for May 20 at which time a counteroffer is expected to be made, predicating the need for additional time, according to the judge’s notes. Morgan also remains incarcerated on charges stemming from an October 2023 incident that include endangering the welfare of a minor, fleeing or evading police, resisting arrest, terroristic threatening, assault, and intimidating a participant in the legal process.
Phillips also set a May 20 pretrial conference for Samantha Canterbury, 45, of Huntington, who was arrested in February of this year on charges including being a fugitive, fleeing or evading police, wanton endangerment, and resisting arrest, among others.
Elmer Danilo, 21, of Grayson, also faces charges of wanton endangerment stemming from a January incident that led to an arrest by deputies with the Carter County Sheriff. Danilo was appointed a public defender, and the judge accepted his not guilty plea, setting a pretrial conference date of June 3.
Phillips heard a motion for shock probation in the case against 37 year old Johnathan Pyatt, of St. Petersburg, Florida, who also remains incarcerated after his August 2023 arrest on charges that include menacing, intimidating a participant in the legal process, terroristic threatening, criminal mischief, and others – including being a fugitive from another state.
Phillips accepted a guilty plea in the trafficking case against 28 year old Ahdari York, of Southfield, Michigan, who has been housed in the Carter County Detention Center since his arrest in October of last year. York pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, for selling fentanyl and cocaine. As part of his deal, the court amended his charge of aggravated trafficking in fentanyl to first degree trafficking – matching his cocaine charge. The Commonwealth also moved to dismiss charges of engaging in an organized crime-criminal syndicate, and charges of trafficking within 1.000 feet of a school.
In other action, the judge heard motions on a number of older cases related to everything from flagrant non-support to DUI, possession, and trafficking – including dismissing several cases due to the death of defendants.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
