KY - Francisco Martinez-Castillo, 29, murdered, Madison County, 30 March 2015

Francisco J. Martinez-Castillo, 29, whose body was found Wednesday night in Silver Creek near Curtis Pike, was last seen with Billy Jack Chadwell, 35, according to a Kentucky State Police arrest citation.

Chadwell gave two people details that only someone involved in the murder could have known...

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Three men were charged with heroin trafficking Monday, including Billy Chadwell, 35, of Hallie Irvine Street, who was already lodged in the Madison County Detention Center in connection with the murder of Francisco Javier Martinez-Castillo, 29.

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A Richmond man scheduled to stand trial April 17 on murder, evidence tampering and weapons charges was convicted Tuesday on two counts of first-degree controlled substance trafficking (heroin) and as a second-degree persistent felony offender.

The jury in the one-day Madison Circuit Court trial deliberate for about 20 minutes before returning the guilty verdict against Billy Jack Chadwell, 37, of Turpin Drive, Richmond.

Jurors then recommended he serve a combined sentence of 15 years. Judge William G. Clouse scheduled sentencing for May 26.

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Chadwell has remained in the Madison County Detention Center since his April 12, 2015, arrest on murder and other charges in the shooting death of Francisco Javier Castillo-Martinez.

According to Chadwell’s arrest citation, he was the last person seen with Castillo-Martinez and told two people details of the case that only someone involved in the crime could have known. The murder took place on White Hall Shrine Road, the citation added.

The evidence tampering charges were based on Chadwell’s attempt to hide the body and murder weapon. As a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possession a handgun.

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The trial of Billy Jack Chadwell in the March 2015 murder of Francisco Javier Castillo-Martinez has been moved to Oct. 9.

In addition to murder, Chadwell is facing evidence tampering and weapons charges.

The trial was previously scheduled for April 17, but defense attorney Justin Hoskins asked for the postponement March 29, telling Madison Circuit Judge Jean C. Logue that he has another murder trial in Montgomery County that may not conclude until the week prior to April 17.

Chadwell was convicted March 21 as a second-degree persistent felony offender on two counts of first-degree controlled substance trafficking (heroin).

The jury recommended he serve a combined sentence of 15 years. His sentencing in that case is set for May 26.

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Billy Jack Chadwell, 37, who is scheduled to stand trial Oct. 9 for the March 2015 murder of Francisco Javier Castillo-Martinez was sentenced to 14 years in prison Friday in another case after Madison Circuit Judge William G. Clouse denied his request for a new trial.

Chadwell was convicted March 21 as a second-degree persistent felony on two counts of first-degree controlled substance trafficking (heroin) and Clouse ordered him to serve seven years consecutively on each charge, as his jury recommended.

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Chadwell is charged in the shooting death of Francisco Javier Castillo-Martinez, whose body was found by kayakers in April 2015 in Silver Creek near Curtis Pike southwest of Richmond.

Chadwell’s murder trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 12 at 9 a.m.

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