James Reed Aaron Snyder | The Daily Independent
CATLETTSBURG After three hours of deliberation, a Boyd County jury found a 48-year-old Ironton man not guilty on manslaughter charges.
James Reed was on trial this week in connection with the Aug. 13, 2019, fatal shooting of 30-year-old Lawrence âMeechâ McCoy. Throughout the trial, public defender Brian Hewlett contended Reed shot McCoy in order to defend his stepdaughter, who was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of the decedent.
Prior to being shot, McCoy held a gun to his girlfriendâs head and threatened to kill her, according to testimony. He had beaten her earlier that day, according to testimony.
The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Electronic Crime Branch arrested Jonathan M. Whitt, 33, on charges related to child sexual abuse material.
Mr. Whitt was arrested as the result of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigation after discovering the suspect uploading images of child sexual exploitation online.
The investigation resulted in the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Ashland on June 3, 2021. Equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to KSP’s digital forensic laboratory for examination. The investigation is ongoing.
Mr. Whitt is currently charged with one count of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, a class D felony and one count of distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. Mr. Whitt was lodged in the Boyd County Detention Center.
Editor s Note: This article contains graphic descriptions of domestic violence. In order to protect the privacy of witnesses involved – one who herself is a victim of domestic violence –
ASHLAND The Tri-State Narcotics Task Force announced Friday that a West Virginia man wanted since March has been apprehended on Carter Avenue, according to a news release.
The court took up a litany of issues, from animal control to alcohol licensing to surplus items.
Curiously, the bond refinancing â which was first read at last monthâs meeting â was left off the agenda. Boyd County Judge-Executive Eric Chaney told Commissioner Larry Brown the bond issue will be taken up for second reading on June 8.
 A second reading on the transient room tax ordinance that goes into refinancing a bond was also pushed off to the same date.
The Boyd County Fiscal Court took up the following actions Tuesday:
• Approved the sale of surplus items from the county roads department, including an excavator, some trailers, two dump trucks and a tractor. Chaney said they’ve been run hard over the years the tractor has between 2,500 to 3,000 work hours on it and will probably need a major overhaul. One trailer, which has a broken tongue, will be scrapped. Chaney said the equipment should be up for sale on govdeals.com, an online government equipment