Category Archives: Media Releases

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY THOMAS B. WINE

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OFFICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
30th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Media Release: May 9, 2023

Attention: Assignment Editor
Director of Communications: Ebert Haegele
Office: (502) 595-2300
E-mail: ehaegele@louisvilleprosecutor.com

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY THOMAS B. WINE

Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Southeast Christian Church in the Chapel Room (second floor of main building), 920 Blankenbaker Parkway, Louisville, KY 40243

Morning Visitation:  10:00 – 12:00

Afternoon Visitation:  1:00-3:00

Private Memorial Service:  3:00 – 4:00

Please keep the Wine family in your prayers.

STATEMENT REGARDING JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY THOMAS B. WINE

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OFFICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
30th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Media Release: May 6, 2023

Attention: Assignment Editor
Director of Communications: Erwin Roberts and Ebert Haegele
Office: (502) 595-2300
E-mail: eroberts@louisvilleprosecutor.com

ehaegele@louisvilleprosecutor.com

STATEMENT REGARDING JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY THOMAS B. WINE

It is with great sadness that I share with our community that Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Thomas B. Wine has passed away after a brief illness. For over 40 years, Wine professionally served the citizens of Jefferson County with honor and integrity, and he will be greatly missed. Wine’s family asks for privacy during this very difficult time. Please keep the Wine family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thomas B. Wine, served as the Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney for the last ten years. He was first elected Commonwealth’s Attorney in 2012 and was elected to a second term in 2018.

Prior to being elected Commonwealth’s Attorney, Tom enjoyed serving in the Justice system as both a prosecutor and a judge. He was sworn in as Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Jefferson County, October 1980, under David L. Armstrong. In 1982 that office awarded him Prosecutor of the Year.

In 1984 he began work at the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office. He served as chief of the Leviticus Unit, investigating fraudulent investments in coal and oil tax shelters; was an Assistant in the Special Prosecutions Unit; and served from 1986 until 1987 as the first Director of the Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Unit.

Tom returned to the Office of Commonwealth’s Attorney in Jefferson County in January 1988 where he served as a Division Chief until December 1990.

Tom resigned as a prosecutor to run for Jefferson Circuit Court Judge. He was elected in November 1991 and began his first term on January 6, 1992. In 1997, the Louisville Bar Association recognized him as Judge of the Year. He was re-elected without opposition to serve a second term in 1999. The Jefferson Circuit Court term elected him as Chief Judge in 2000.

In September 2000, Chief Justice Joseph Lambert appointed Tom to serve on the Jefferson County Racial Fairness Commission. He continued to be a member of that Commission and served on subcommittees involving jury selection and setting bonds.

In August 2006, Governor Ernie Fletcher appointed Tom to the Kentucky Court of Appeals. He was elected to a full term in November 2006. He was appointed by Chief Justice Joseph Lambert to Chair the Kentucky Court of Justice Records Retention Task Force. Chief Justice John Minton of the Kentucky Supreme Court appointed Tom to serve as the first Chair of the Technology Governance Committee of the Kentucky Court of Justice as well as a member of the County Law Library Task Force.

In 2009, he received the Fair Administration of Justice Award from the Kentucky Association Criminal Defense Lawyers.

In January 2012, Tom resigned from the Court of Appeals to pursue the opportunity to serve as Jefferson County’s top felony prosecutor.

Tom was a Master in the American Inns of Court, Louis D. Brandeis Inn and served as the President of the Inn for 2 years.

Tom has volunteered in the Community for several years and in 1996 received the Community Service Award presented by Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. He volunteered with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and in 2012 received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award a Boy Scout Council can give to a volunteer.

JOHN FITZGERALD JOHNSON aka “Grand Master Jay” INDICTED ON WANTON ENDANGERMENT CHARGES

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OFFICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
30th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
THOMAS B. WINE, COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY

Media Release: October 20, 2021

Attention: Assignment Editor
Acting Director of Communications: Erwin Roberts
Office: (502) 595-2300
E-mail: eroberts@louisvilleprosecutor.com

JOHN FITZGERALD JOHNSON aka “Grand Master Jay”
INDICTED ON WANTON ENDANGERMENT CHARGES
COMMONWEALTH VS. JOHN FITZGERALD JOHNSON
JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT CASE NO. 21CR2295

The Jefferson County Grand Jury returned an indictment against John Fitzgerald Johnson aka “Grand Master Jay” charging him with five counts of Wanton Endangerment First Degree in connection with his pointing his assault rifle at five law enforcement officers on September 4, 2020. This indictment includes charges for FOUR additional victims, who are local law enforcement officers and therefore were not victims included in Johnson’s federal indictment for conduct involving ONE federal law enforcement officers. Johnson faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison.

The case has been assigned to Division 2 of Jefferson Circuit Court. Johnson will be formally arraigned on Monday, October 25, 2021, at 9:00. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Josh Porter is the prosecutor. The indicted charges are allegations and Johnson is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Note: This article has been revised since its original release.

Guilty verdicts in 2019 Seneca golf course crash

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OFFICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
30th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
THOMAS B. WINE, COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY

Media Release: July 2, 2021

Attention: Assignment Editor
Director of Communications: Jeff Cooke
Office: (502) 595-2300 Ext. 3027
Cell / Text: (502) 262-5809
E-mail: jcooke@louisvilleprosecutor.com

Today a Jefferson County jury brought some measure of justice to the family of Mr. Christopher Schulz, who was killed on August 11, 2019 by a drunk driver, Lazaro Osmany Pozo Illas, and to Mr. Brian Hovekamp, who was severely injured in the same collision. Defendant Illas was driving at twice the legal speed limit with a blood alcohol level at twice the level of presumed intoxication when his automobile smashed into the golf cart occupied by Mr. Schulz and Mr. Hovekamp as the cart was in a cross walk. Schulz and Hovekamp were life-long friends who were enjoying a round of golf at the Seneca Golf Course at the time of the collision.

Following the verdict Commonwealth’s Attorney Tom Wine stated:

Prosecutors Justin Janes and Corey Taylor, along with lead officer Mark Batson of the Louisville Metro Police Department, worked diligently for almost two years to prepare this case. The tragic death of Mr. Schulz, and the serious injuries to Mr. Hovekamp, could have been avoided had Illas simply driven the speed limit and not consumed excessive amounts of alcohol. It is especially disturbing that this terrible, avoidable tragedy occurred in a heavily traveled area used by golfers, bicyclists, walkers and other motorists.

The jury verdict of guilt and recommended sentence of 30 years (*see below for breakdown of sentences) on the charges of Murder, Assault in the First Degree, Wanton Endangerment in the First Degree, Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Operating a Motor Vehicle without and Operator’s License should be a reminder to all persons who drink and drive that these motor vehicle fatalities and injuries will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted, and the community, through the jury system, will impose serious sanctions.

As we prepare to the 4th of July festivities, we are reminded to drink responsibly and respect the speed limits on all roadways.

  • Murder – 20 years
  • Assault 1st – 10 years both sentences to consecutive with each other for a total of 30 years. Concurrent with the following sentences:
  • Wanton Endangerment 1 (2 counts) 1 year each count
  • Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Intoxicants – 30 days
  • Operating a Motor Vehicle with No Operator’s License – 90 days

Criminal trials resuming in Jefferson Circuit Court

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OFFICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
30th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
THOMAS B. WINE, COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY

Media Release: June 4, 2021

Attention: Assignment Editor
Director of Communications: Jeff Cooke
Office: (502) 595-2300 Ext. 3027
Cell / Text: (502) 262-5809
E-mail: jcooke@louisvilleprosecutor.com

As a result of declining COVD-19 infection rates statewide the Kentucky Supreme Court has allowed Kentucky courts to resume jury trials.  The Jefferson Circuit Courts and the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney have wasted no time in getting back to the people’s business.

Besides the trial of William K. Riggle, Sr. and William K. Riggle, Jr. in Division 11 of Jefferson Circuit Court which concluded yesterday with a jury recommending 75 and 150 year sentences, respectively, for a series of sexual assaults of minor female relatives, two other criminal cases were tried and concluded last week.

***

On Thursday May 27, 2021 a jury in Division 9 of Jefferson Circuit Court found Juan Chairez guilty of one count of Sodomy in the First Degree (a Class A felony) and four counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree (Class C felonies). Following the verdict Chairez agreed to a penalty of twenty-five years in prison.

Chairez (DOB 7/20/73) had been charged with raping, sodomizing and sexually abusing his 10-year-old daughter (J.C.). In the winter of 2013, the defendant got into his bed where J.C. was sleeping.  He then proceeded to fondle her breasts, touch her vagina with his fingers, insert his fingers into her vagina, perform oral sex on her and penetrate her with his penis.  According to the defendant, who testified at trial, he was extremely drunk that night and mistakenly thought his young daughter was his girlfriend.  Defendant further claimed that all he did was kiss his daughter on the stomach before realizing it was her and telling her to leave.  Then in October 2013, defendant again got into bed with J.C. and touched her vagina with his fingers.  J.C. immediately got out of bed and slept on the couch.  The victim in this case did not disclose what had happened to her at the hands of her father until May 2014.  Aside from her disclosure at age 11, there was not any physical, medical or forensic evidence in this case to corroborate the events that transpired.  

Chairez’ formal sentencing is scheduled for July 29, 2021 at 9:15 a.m.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Marit DeLozier and Shannon Tubbs were the prosecutors.

***

In another trail concluding on Thursday May 27, 2021, a jury in Division 3 of Jefferson Circuit Court found Byron Shea Seymour guilty of Rape in the First Degree.  During the penalty phase of the trial the jury found that Seymour was a Persistent Felony offender in the Second Degree, recommended a ten year sentence on the rape charge and enhanced the penalty to twenty years as a result of finding him a persistent felon.

Seymour (DOB 11/11/1978) had been charged with the rape of a 52-year-old female (T.J.).  On January 18, 2019, the defendant armed himself with a kitchen knife while inside of T.J.’s home, threatened to stab her multiple times, and forced sexual intercourse on her. T.J. was able to escape after her daughter burst into the room and confronted the defendant as the offense was occurring. T.J. ran out of her apartment building while naked from the waist down and yelled for help, causing multiple witnesses to contact 911. The defendant fled the apartment through the back door, but was arrested the following day by Detectives Lisa Livers and Lindsay Lynch of LMPD’s Special Victims Unit. During a Mirandized police interview, the defendant denied sexual intercourse with T.J..  In addition to victim and witness statements, the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam and DNA evidence confirmed that forcible sexual intercourse occurred.

Seymour’s formal sentencing is scheduled for July 20, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Milja Zgonjanin and Corey Taylor were the prosecutors.