The trial of a Hopkinsville woman charged with murder was scheduled to get underway next month but it was continued due to her attorney testing positive for COVID-19.
Larayna Manning is charged with first-degree murder of 70-year old Calvin Taylor, who was found inside his North Kentucky Avenue home on October 12, 2020. Her son, Anthony Manning, was also charged with complicity to murder, however, he entered into a plea agreement with the Commonwealth last week in which court records show he entered an Alford plea to facilitation of complicity to commit murder and first-degree facilitation of complicity to commit robbery with each charge carrying a five-year sentence to run concurrently.
Christian Circuit Court Judge Andrew Self told Larayna’s attorney, Jason Pfeil, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boiling her son’s plea changed the dynamic of the trial.
click to download audioPfeil informed Judge Self that he has tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday and will be in quarantine until October 1st and will be ready to go to trial October 4 unless the case is continued without prejudice.
click to download audioCommonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling said he would not pursue any additional penalties toward Larayna due to Pfeil’s illness.
click to download audioJudge Self then vacated the October 4 trial to December 7-10.
