Weekly Media Release  June 18 - 24, 2007

PRE - TRIAL CONFERENCE

1.      Bart L. Cohen (DOB 12/25/65) / Michael R. Pederson (DOB 3/22/68) / Robert A. Vaillencourt (DOB 4/7/67) – 07CR1657.  (Burglary 1st Degree, Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree, Arson 2nd Degree, Criminal Mischief 1st Degree, Theft by Unlawful Taking >$300)  The defendants are charged in connection with March 17, 2006 robbery and 5 alarm fire at a warehouse at 12th and Zane streets.  A Pre-Trial Conference is scheduled for Monday, June 18, Division 11, at 11:00 A.M.  Frank Dahl is the prosecutor.

2.      Dominic D. Simonton – 07CR0952 & 06CR3111.  (Murder, Assault 1st Degree, Tampering with Physical Evidence)  Mr. Simonton (DOB 7/4/77) is charged in connection with the October 6, 2006 death of Derrick Watkins which resulted from a September 18, 2006 shooting near Preston and Oak and St. Catherine.  Another victim was wounded in this same incident.  A Pre-Trial Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, June 19, Division 5, at 9:00 A.M.  Scott Davis is the prosecutor.

3.      James Benjamin Gary – 07CR1925.  (Murder, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Theft by Unlawful Taking >$300)  Mr. Gary (DOB 12/9/84) is charged in connection with the May 29, 2007 death of Beth Shreve whose body was recovered in a park in St. Matthews.  A Pre-Trial Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, June 19, Division 4, at 10:00 A.M.  Jason Butler is the prosecutor.

4.      Wilbert Bethel (DOB 4/6/80) / Thomas Taylor (DOB 7/9/80) – 02CR1558 & 05CR0323.  The defendants are charged with multiple counts involving activities in and around Victory Park, highlighted by the July 31, 2000 murder of Lanogonay McCurley.  A Pre-Trial Conference is scheduled for Thursday, June 21, Division 10 at 9:45 A.M.  Tom Van De Rostyne and Ryane Conroy are the prosecutors.

SENTENCING

1.      Paul E. Gorence – 06CR2459.  Mr. Gorence (DOB 7/29/59) pleaded guilty to Manslaughter 2nd Degree, Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree (2 Counts), Criminal Mischief 1st Degree, Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Driving on Wrong Side of the Road in connection with the July 3, 2006 wreck on Bardstown Road, near Thixton Road, which resulted in the death of James Browne, Jr.  Sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 19, Division 12, at 9:30 A.M.  Tom Van De Rostyne is the prosecutor.

-end-