Published: November 20, 2009 04:03 pm      

Nunn pleads not guilty to murder charges

LEXINGTON — Steve Nunn, the former legislator and one-time candidate for governor, Thursday entered a not guilty plea to charges of murder and violation of an emergency protective order in the death of Nunn’s former finance, 29-year-old Amanda Ross.

Nunn, 57, of Glasgow, appeared in court via video conference from the Lexington jail. His attorney, Warren Scoville of London, entered the plea on Nunn’s behalf. Nunn’s only comment was to answer, “Yes ma’am,” when Judge Kimberly Bunnell asked if he could hear the proceedings.

Fayette County Commonwealth Attorney Ray Larson — asked by reporters afterward if he’ll seek the death penalty — paused and replied: “I think it’s better to pay attention to the court file. We’ll be filing the appropriate notices at some point.”

Because he was placed under an Emergency Protective Order/Domestic Violence Order by a Fayette District Judge in March after Ross accused him of striking her in the face four times, Kentucky law allows the prosecution to seek the death penalty.

Nunn, who served in the General Assembly for 15 years, co-sponsored the legislation which made killing an abuse victim while under an EPO/DVO an aggravating factor in allowing the death penalty.

Watching Thursday’s proceeding from the front row of the gallery was Diana Ross, the mother of the victim and about 15 friends and family, most wearing badges with Amanda Ross’ photograph and the word “Remember.” Among the group was Mary Karen Stumbo, wife of House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, who is sponsoring legislation he has named “Amanda’s Bill” to protect victims of domestic abuse.

Larson and Scoville chatted amiably before the proceeding and Scoville told Bunnell, “Mr. Larson and I have agreed on a Jan. 15 status conference and the commonwealth will provide discovery.” Larson then told the judge that “the discovery in this case is going to be pretty voluminous.” He declined to elaborate to reporters after the hearing.

Scoville left the courtroom immediately after the hearing and had no comment for reporters.

Around 6:20 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 11, Lexington police were called to Ross’ Lexington townhouse parking lot where they found her shot multiple times. She died a short time later.

Authorities immediately began searching for Nunn and Kentucky State Police troopers and members of the Barren County Sheriff’s Department found Nunn a few hours later in the small rural Hart County cemetery where his parents, former Gov. Louie B. Nunn and Beula Nunn are buried.

His wrists had been cut and he had a weapon which he discharged as officers approached. Nunn was transported by ambulance to the Bowling Green Medical Center and charged with six counts of wanton endangerment. He was arraigned on those charges in Hart County on Tuesday. That trial is scheduled for arraignment there on Nov. 17.

Nunn also faces a wrongful death civil suit by the estate of Ross.

RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.