A financial audit of more than $80,000 belonging to the woman accused of a role in the 2022 death of an Oak Grove man should be completed in the next month which should move along the case in Christian County Circuit Court.
Ann Harrison is charged with murder, first-degree criminal abuse, and several other charges in connection to the death of Anthony Gilstrap, Sr. The charges stem from an Oak Grove Police investigation that began when Gilstrap was taken to the hospital in July of 2022. He was reportedly unresponsive with signs of severe neglect, gangrene, and sepsis. He died a month later.
The police investigation also revealed Harrison and Gilstrap’s son Jacob had 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.
Defense attorney Stephanie Ritchie-Mize told Judge Andrew Self in Wednesday afternoon’s court session that staff shortages in her office have kept her from completing the numbers-crunching as quickly as she would like but it should be completed in the coming month.
click to download audioIn September, Harrison’s boyfriend Jacob Gilstrap — who faced the same charges as Harrison — was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the death of his father after he mediated a guilty plea to amended charges instead of going to trial. His charges were amended to wanton abuse, wanton exploitation of an adult, and eight counts of animal cruelty. His murder charge was amended to reckless homicide.
Once the audit of Harrison’s finances is completed, Ritchie-Mize said she planned to meet with the Commonwealth’s Attorney to discuss a resolution. Judge Self requested they return to court on March 20 to provide an update.
Harrison is free on bond while required by the court to wear an ankle monitor.
