An Oak Grove couple charged with the murder of the person they were supposed to be caring for made their first appearance in Christian County Circuit Court Wednesday.
43-year-old Jacob Gilstrap and 39-year-old Ann Harrison were arraigned on charges of murder, first-degree criminal abuse, knowing abuse or neglect of an adult, knowingly exploiting an adult by a person over $300, and eight counts of second-degree cruelty to animals.
The charges stem from an investigation led by the Oak Grove Police Department when they were notified that 70-year-old Anthony Gilstrap, Sr. of Timberline Circle had been taken to the hospital on July 10th and was reportedly unresponsive with signs of severe neglect, gangrene, sepsis, an open wound with bones exposed, and pressure ulcers.
According to police, Gilstrap and Harrison also put themselves as power of attorney over the man’s banking account and removed money from his account, as well as started a life insurance policy for him.
The indictment alleges the abuse occurred on or between May 2021 and July 10 of this year.
Gilstrap and Harrison were arrested on July 28th.
Judge Andrew Self appointed what’s known as a “conflict counsel” for Gilstrap because public defender Doug Moore is already representing Harrison.
click to download audioGilstrap is in the Christian County Jail on a $502,000 cash bond. Harrison is lodged under a $503,000 bond. They are scheduled to be back in court on October 19.
