One of the people charged with the murder of the person they were supposed to be caring for has requested a bond reduction in Christian County Circuit Court although Wednesday’s denial came as a surprise to Ann Harrison.
She and Jacob Gilstrap are both charged with 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 Oak Grove Police Department investigation that began 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. He died a month later.
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.
Harrison has been lodged in the Christian County Jail since her arrest on July 28 under a $503,000 cash bond. She was apparently under the impression that her bond reduction hearing would be Wednesday before Judge Andrew Self. However, her court-appointed attorney Doug Moore notified the court such paperwork had not been filed.
click to download audioHarrison became visibly upset as Judge Self set a bond reduction hearing for October 31 after the necessary paperwork had been filed with the court.
Moore informed Judge Self that Stephanie Ritchie would be joining him as co-counsel for Harrison and asked Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jared Smith about the status of receiving more discovery in the case such as interviews conducted by police and financial reports.
click to download audioGilstrap, Harrison’s co-defendant in the case, did not make a Wednesday appearance in court. He will return on December 19 for a pre-trial conference with his new attorney. Gilstrap is in the Christian County Jail on a $502,000 cash bond.
