RICHMOND, Ky. (LEX 18) — It’s taken a while, but nearly a decade later, Ja’Kolbe Chenault pleaded not guilty to the charges he’s been facing in connection to the 2010 murders of Charles Walker and Sonsaray Warford.
Three men, Daniel Keene, Matthew Denholm and Labruce Ellington entered guilty pleas to complicity to commit murder and kidnapping long ago. Chenault’s arraignment, which will take place in Madison County on Thursday morning at 11, has been delayed while he served a long sentence on federal drug charges, out of state.
“When he got those 250 months, they knew there was a murder charge, and it’s just been sitting there lingering,” said Dalisha Walker, a cousin of Mr. Walker.
Walker, and Gregory Todd, who is Sonsaray’s father don’t blame the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the long delay, but wish it could’ve happened sooner, if for no other reason than to help with their healing. And to hasten the process of forgiving people who they called friends before this incident.
“The friends that we had, that we’ve held something against because this happened,” said Todd, “like she said, we’ve kind of moved on enough to speak and then go our separate ways, but now it’s back at that point where when you see them, how are you going to feel? Because we’re still trying to get justice.”
After nine long years, that process will resume tomorrow. “I’m not going to be over this for a long time,” Todd said. “The longer it’s been put off, just makes it harder every day.”
Outside court in Madison County, Chenault's mother told LEX 18 that her son will not take a plea deal and that he is innocent of all charges.
