May 21, 2018
MARTIN COUNTY REPORT:
INEZ MAN PLEADS ‘NOT GUILTY’ TO MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES
written by WADE QUEEN
INEZ, KY. — A Martin County man indicted for second degree manslaughter pleaded not guilty last week in court.
Law enforcement officials said Elwood “Woody” Six, 66, of Inez, shot and killed Rodney “Cockeye” Stepp in December 2017.
Six was arraigned in court Thursday May 17. A pre-trial hearing is set for June 21.
Rodney Stepp’s wife told responding officers Elwood Six admitted to shooting her husband, a deputy said. Police said when they arrived at the scene they found the gun still in his pocket. Six has told relatives that he shot Stepp in self defense.
Elwood Six remains lodged at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, where he is being held on a $10,155 full cash bond.
###
MCMS TEACHER PLEADS ‘NOT GUILTY’ TO SENDING INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES TO A STUDENT
A Martin County teacher pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday, May 17.
A grand jury indicted Cletus Ray Turner, 51, of Tomahawk, Kentucky, at the end of April, for sending inappropriate messages to a student.
Turner is accused of using his phone to procure or promote the use of a minor regarding sexual offenses.
The charge is a class D felony and the usual penalty is a 1-5 year sentence.
Turner has resigned his teaching position at Martin Co. Middle School.
###
MARTIN CO. “GRAVE DIGGER” SUSPECT, RULED “INCOMPETENT” TO STAND TRIAL FOR DIGGING UP HIS GRANDMOTHER’S GRAVE; CASED DISMISSED
A Martin County man deputies say unearthed a Martin County grave was ruled incompetent to stand trial Thursday May 17.
In 2017, a Martin County grand jury indicted Tea Luster for digging up the grave of James Howard’s grandmother. James Howard and Jennifer Luster were also involved in the gruesome and macabre act. Both of them pleaded guilty to violating the grave.
The Martin County Sheriff said the three worked together to dig up the grave.
James Howard allegedly offered Tea Luster $10,000 to commit the crime.
A mental evaluation led commonwealth attorneys to dismiss Tea Luster’s case.
