Staff Report
Carter County Times
An Olive Hill woman has been indicted on a capital murder charge in a DUI incident that led to the death of Phillip Konopka and the injury of another last year.
The Grand Jury of the Carter Circuit Court returned indictments on July 12, including an indictment for Kristina Thompson, age 51, for her role in the death of Konopka. The indictment alleges that on May 3, 2023, Thompson, “committed the offense of murder by operating a motor vehicle under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life by being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs” and while driving intoxicated “causing the death of Phillip Konopka.”
The murder charge is a capital offense.
Thompson was also indicted on a charge of assault in the first degree for causing “serious physical injury” to another victim, a Class B felony, and for wanton endangerment, a Class D felony, when she “wantonly engaged in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury” to a third individual.
A fourth charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence is classified as a Class B misdemeanor.
Other indictments issued by the Grand Jury include the following:
- Clifford Carter, 34, of Grayson, on or about February 18, 2024, committed the offenses of wanton endangerment, first degree, by wantonly engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another, a Class D felony; and endangering the welfare of a minor, by selling drugs within the residence creating substantial risk of physical or emotional injury, a Class A misdemeanor.
- Carolann George, 33, of West Liberty, on or about April 9, 2024, committed the offense of theft by unlawful taking, when she stole ten $100 gift card from a lock box, $30 in cash out of one of a desk, one of the victim’s back door keys, and a lock box key, as well as keys to the entire building, with intent to deprive the victim thereof, a Class D felony.
- Zachary Jones, 38, of Webbville, on or about May 11, 2024, committed the offenses of theft by unlawful taking, by taking a tractor valued at over $10,000 with intent to permanently deprive the owner of his property, a Class C Felony; and criminal mischief, first degree, by intentionally destroying property of the same individual, causing more than $1,000 in damage, a Class D felon.
- Stephen Lehn, 55, of Grayson, on or about March 8, 2024, committed the offenses of assault in the fourth degree, no visible injury, by intentionally assaulting his wife, a Class A misdemeanor; and three counts of wanton endangerment, first degree, by wantonly engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another, each a Class D felony.
- Dakota Middleton, 25, of Olive Hill, on or about March 20, 2024, committed the offenses of four counts of wanton endangerment, first degree, by wantonly engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another, each a Class D felony.
An indictment is not a determination of guilt or innocence. It is simply a charge that an offense has been committed and indicates that a case is pending on the charges listed. All defendants have the presumption of innocence until found guilty in a court of law.
Though it is a part of the public record, the Carter County Times does not make a habit of printing the names of minor children or the victims of alleged crimes, except under exceptional circumstances.
