Judge Jamus Redd heard considerable evidence during a bond motion hearing Friday afternoon in Trigg County Circuit Court, and now must make a decision on Keisha Stewart.
Either grant her a bond release in familial care so she can attend a 30-day dual-diagnosis treatment program at “Mountain of Hope” in McCracken County, and perhaps transition to long-term assistance. Or uphold the Commonwealth’s wishes to keep her incarcerated until she goes to trial next summer alongside co-defendant Jonathan McCoy.
Although not charged with the September 2020 murder of Will Jackson Road resident Thelma “Ileen” Barnett, Stewart has been deeply implicated following an investigation from Kentucky State Police Detective Brian Hill.
She’s charged with one count of complicity to second-degree arson, one count of complicity abuse to a corpse, one count of complicity tampering with physical evidence and one count of complicity burglary second-degree.
And all from the Barnett crime scene.
In cross-clarification from Redd to Hill, the detective said cell phone triangulation placed her and McCoy near Barnett’s home close to the times of incidence. Furthermore, a wig allegedly worn by Stewart that evening is clearly discernible in Hopkinsville Wal-Mart color surveillance footage — where she’s seen with McCoy obtaining nitrile gloves, gasoline and a gas can.
Defense attorney Katy Riley, of Calloway County, brought Stewart’s mother Stacie Oakley in for testimony. As she took the stand, Stewart was offered tissues, and she cried.
Oakley noted that Stewart’s children, a son and a daughter, have been in her care for about the past two years, and that she didn’t post her daughter’s bond seven months ago, as she was on parole. She did, however, notice a better mother, and someone who worked long hours at Metalsa and TRAD North America while living with her sister, Karlie.
However, very early in this release, Stewart tested positive for methamphetamine — something she testified occurred while she was incarcerated at the Christian County Jail. And as such, she was remanded back to custody.
Oakley told the court she’d report Stewart’s misdeeds if they occurred during a conditional release.
Stewart also took the stand on her behalf, and told Ovey-Wiggins that a 30-day drug treatment stay about five years ago “wasn’t enough,” and that she needed treatment not only for drug use — but for mental health and concerns.
Ovey-Wiggins asked Redd that if he did eventually grant Stewart’s bond release, to at least raise the bond higher from the $25,000 and 10% surety that’s currently levied. Hill also further testified that Stewart was “difficult to locate” early in the investigation, and eventually failed to appear at a later interview appointment before being arrested and indicted.
Redd said he would likely make a ruling in the next two-to-three weeks. Another pre-trial conference was set for 9 AM August 9 — well after an expected suppression hearing scheduled for McCoy.
