Death penalty case will be in Louisa in May 2017
LOUISA, Ky. — On August 16th 2014, two Martin Countians are accused of murdering 3 people in their own home over prescription pills and jewelry.
Investigators say all three were shot, stabbed multiple times, and then their home was burned to the ground in an apparent effort to cover up the crime.
One of the victims, Trinity Maynard, was only 8 years old.
Approximately a week after the crime occurred in Martin County, a grand jury indicted both Jack Smith, 41 and Amanda Bowen, 26, both of Inez, of three counts of murder /complicity 3 counts of robbery and one count each of tampering with physical evidence.
In addition to the murder charges, Smith is also charged with arson while Bowen is being charged with being a persistent felony offender. After filing the notice the prosecutors say there were aggravating circumstances and the death penalty would be sought.
A change of venue was granted two weeks ago for Smith by Circuit Judge John D. Preston on the grounds that he could not assemble an impartial jury in Martin Co.
The trial of Jack Smith will take place in Lawrence County on May 1st 2017. There was no record of Ms. Bowen’s trial being moved to LawrenceCounty in Circuit Clerk Jodie Parsley’s office.
But a spokesperson in Martin Circuit Clerk’s office said both were being represented by public defenders from other parts of the state and that both are incarcerated. She also said Ms. Bowen’s attorney has asked for a change of venue but it has yet to be granted.
