Commonwealth’s Attorney Mark Blankenship’s Office is requesting a special judge step in to preside over the Marshall County High School shooter case.
The move comes after lawyers representing Paxton Media Group filed a writ alleging Marshall County Circuit Judge Jamie Jameson improperly interfered with the prosecution of the accused shooter, 15-year-old Gabe Parker.
Blankenship said the allegations have shaken victims and families that were already fragile. He says no matter the outcome of the request, it might bring ‘peace of mind.’
“Either way would help the victims. If we moved to get a new judge and the motion was denied, then we could give the victims that and they could read something tangible to see why the judge has not acted improperly," Blankenship said.
He said if the Kentucky Supreme Court rules that there was misconduct in the case and brings in a special judge, then that will give victims closure as well.
He said a special judge would be a circuit level judge from another county, a senior status judge or a recently retired judge that does part-time substitute work. It's also possible that Chief Justice John Minton Jr. could rule in favor of Jameson and that Jameson would preside.
Blankenship added that it's possible the Defense could move for a change of venue if they feel Parker could not get a fair trial in Marshall County or surrounding counties due to the publicity of the case and if too many jurors have already reached a conclusion of guilt. The jury would be picked from people summoned to court in the county where the trial is held.
