A decision will have to wait in the potential conjoining of trials for a pair of Cadiz residents, in regards to their potential connection to the death of Thelma “Ilene” Barnett on September 16, 2020.
During Wednesday’s pre-trial conference for Jonathan R. McCoy at Trigg County Circuit Court, Commonwealth’s Attorney Carrie Ovey-Wiggins sought for Judge C.A. “Woody” Woodall to rule on a motion to link McCoy’s charges and upcoming trial with Keisha Stewart — who may have served as an accomplice to McCoy.
Both McCoy and Stewart share a number of identical charges, which brought about Ovey-Wiggins’ point to the court. The only difference is that Stewart is not charged with the murder of Barnett, which has been determined to have occurred prior to the arson of her home on Will Jackson Road.
Woodall, however, noted he would not grant a motion until he heard from Stewart’s counsel in Murray attorney Chip Adams, and McCoy’s defense attorney Audrey Woosnam agreed.
Ovey-Wiggins’ added her office has recently sent more discovery to McCoy’s defense team.
McCoy’s next appearance for all three of his cases, including some charges in Lyon County, will be on the afternoon of January 12, 2022.
Stewart, meanwhile, appeared late Wednesday on the pretense of the Commonwealth’s filing, and has another pre-trial conference set for the afternoon of November 10.
She mentioned that her attorney, Adams, was going to put in a bond motion for her, but she’s a state inmate at this time — and Woodall said there was no reason to make a bond motion at this juncture and until further notice.
