Nunn pleads not guilty to murder charges

State News

November 20, 2009

By RONNIE ELLIS The McCreary County Record Fri Nov 20, 2009, 04:03 PM EST

LEXINGTON — Steve Nunn, the former legislator and one-time candidate for governor, Thursday entered a not guilty plea to charges of murder and violation of an emergency protective order in the death of Nunn’s former finance, 29-year-old Amanda Ross.

Nunn, 57, of Glasgow, appeared in court via video conference from the Lexington jail. His attorney, Warren Scoville of London, entered the plea on Nunn’s behalf. Nunn’s only comment was to answer, “Yes ma’am,” when Judge Kimberly Bunnell asked if he could hear the proceedings.

Fayette County Commonwealth Attorney Ray Larson — asked by reporters afterward if he’ll seek the death penalty — paused and replied: “I think it’s better to pay attention to the court file. We’ll be filing the appropriate notices at some point.”

Because he was placed under an Emergency Protective Order/Domestic Violence Order by a Fayette District Judge in March after Ross accused him of striking her in the face four times, Kentucky law allows the prosecution to seek the death penalty.

Nunn, who served in the General Assembly for 15 years, co-sponsored the legislation which made killing an abuse victim while under an EPO/DVO an aggravating factor in allowing the death penalty.

Watching Thursday’s proceeding from the front row of the gallery was Diana Ross, the mother of the victim and about 15 friends and family, most wearing badges with Amanda Ross’ photograph and the word “Remember.” Among the group was Mary Karen Stumbo, wife of House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, who is sponsoring legislation he has named “Amanda’s Bill” to protect victims of domestic abuse.

Larson and Scoville chatted amiably before the proceeding and Scoville told Bunnell, “Mr. Larson and I have agreed on a Jan. 15 status conference and the commonwealth will provide discovery.” Larson then told the judge that “the discovery in this case is going to be pretty voluminous.” He declined to elaborate to reporters after the hearing.

Scoville left the courtroom immediately after the hearing and had no comment for reporters.

Around 6:20 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 11, Lexington police were called to Ross’ Lexington townhouse parking lot where they found her shot multiple times. She died a short time later.

Authorities immediately began searching for Nunn and Kentucky State Police troopers and members of the Barren County Sheriff’s Department found Nunn a few hours later in the small rural Hart County cemetery where his parents, former Gov. Louie B. Nunn and Beula Nunn are buried.

His wrists had been cut and he had a weapon which he discharged as officers approached. Nunn was transported by ambulance to the Bowling Green Medical Center and charged with six counts of wanton endangerment. He was arraigned on those charges in Hart County on Tuesday. That trial is scheduled for arraignment there on Nov. 17.

Nunn also faces a wrongful death civil suit by the estate of Ross.

RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.

Text Only

State News

Shepherd brings legislature to stop
FRANKFORT — Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd not only put on hold the filing deadline for candidates for state House and Senate districts — he effectively shut down the business of the General Assembly.

February 3, 2012
Jensen still pushing for pseudoephedrine legislation
FRANKFORT – Debate on legislation to require prescriptions for cold remedies containing pseudoephedrine has been heated and it appears it may heat up some more, given remarks in the Kentucky State Senate on Friday.

February 3, 2012
Special election Feb. 7 for Comer's seat
The Feb. 7 special election to fill the unexpired term of former Rep. James Comer, who was elected Commissioner of Agriculture in November, will be conducted according to the previous district lines as they existed before the General Assembly

January 26, 2012
Confusion reigns
Angry lawmakers who saw their legislative districts changed or taken away from them continued to discuss the possibility of legal action while the newly enacted law seems to call into question a special election to fill the unexpired term of new Agriculture

January 25, 2012
VIDEO - Floor speech by Rep. Jill York on House Bill 1-January 12, 2012
Redistricting is a big issue right now going on in Carter and surrounding counties.

Jill York, current Representative of the 96th District spoke about the redistricting on Thursday.

Click the headline for video and audio

January 14, 2012
Changes afoot on congressional map
FRANKFORT — A new congressional district map approved Thursday by a Democratic-controlled House committee would substantially alter five of the state’s districts and make the First and Fifth Districts more receptive to Democrats.

January 11, 2012 1 Photo
Education coalition speaks its mind in Frankfort
FRANKFORT — Public perception may be that the state’s elementary and secondary schools haven’t faced real funding cuts in recent years, but a coalition of education groups said Wednesday that is wrong and schools need more money.

January 5, 2012
Longtime political figure dies
FRANKFORT — One of Kentucky’s most colorful political figures, Gatewood Galbraith, a perennial candidate for statewide office, has died.
Galbraith, 64, apparently died in his sleep and his body was discovered by a family member

January 5, 2012 1 Photo
Williams to remain Senate President
FRANKFORT — All the speculation was apparently misplaced. David Williams, the Burkesville Republican who lost the 2011 governor’s race to incumbent Democrat Steve Beshear, will remain president of the Kentucky State Senate at least for another year.

December 21, 2011 1 Photo
Beshear talks gambling at inaugural festivities
FRANKFORT Gov. Steve Beshear used his inaugural speech Tuesday to call for “allowing the people of Kentucky to vote on expanded gaming within our borders” and also said it is time for some sort of tax reform.

December 14, 2011 2 Photos
More State News Headlines

State News

Search Results

Nunn pleads not guilty to murder charges

Site Map

Contact Us