GUILTY KY - Three people slain in Danville pawn shop robbery, 20 Sept 2013

[Tulessa]

Triple murder suspect Kenneth Allen Keith sues former attorney.

http://www.centralkynews.com/amnews...cle_ed9cc512-2d79-11e6-b3a1-ab1f5bf09539.html

 

[DaleTray]

Appears the defense team may seek change of venue: http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article98613477.html

 

[OkieGranny]

http://www.amnews.com/2016/12/16/judge-hears-suppression-motion-in-case-against-keith/

It will be March before the man accused in the 2013 shooting deaths of three people in Danville will face a judge again.

That’s after a nearly two-hour suppression hearing on Thursday...

Bottoms said he felt it would not take Peckler long to make his decision. Keith, he said, has been placed on the March 7 docket to appear before Peckler.

“After that, we will proceed to getting a trial date set,” Bottoms said.

 

[0101ABA]

Trial set for former pastor accused in pawn shop slayings

A central Kentucky judge has scheduled a trial for a former pastor accused of killing three people in a Danville pawn shop.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports Boyle County Circuit Judge Darren Peckler on Tuesday set the trial for 51-year-old Kenneth Allen Keith for Aug. 10. Keith has pleaded not guilty to murder in the 2013 deaths of 35-year-old Michael Hockensmith and his 38-year-old wife, Angela, both of Stanford; and 60-year-old gold broker Daniel Smith, of Richmond.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Keith pleads guilty to triple murder, sentenced to life without parole

https://www.amnews.com/2017/05/26/kenneth-allen-keith-enters-guilty-plea-sentenced-to-life-0/

In a surprise turn Friday morning, Kenneth Allen Keith entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Keith pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and three counts of murder for the shooting deaths of Mike and Angela Hockensmith and Dan Smith in a Danville business in 2013.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Richie Bottoms said he was satisfied with the result.

“Obviously, for the family’s sake, I’m satisfied he’s finally admitted his guilt and agreed to plead guilty,” Bottoms said. “We’re glad the family can finally have some closure. I’m thankful for all the work that law enforcement has done in this case.”

http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article152795169.html

Still unanswered is the motive for the shootings, although relatives might have received some answers Friday during a private post-hearing briefing with police.

Smith’s oldest child, Crystal Keepes, 41, of Clarksville, Tenn., said she’s thankful that the case is over and that “A. (the Hockensmiths’ son) doesn’t have to testify,” she said. “That’s a real relief for all of us.

“Now is a time for healing and forgiving and being able to move forward.”

Asked whether she could forgive Keith, Keepes said: “I feel very much that I have forgiven him already. I’m not willing to let unforgiveness be the thing that holds me back.”

A. Hockensmith turned 13 Friday. “It’s the best birthday present I ever could get,” he said of Keith’s guilty plea.