SOMERSET, Ky. – In a shocking case that has gripped the community, a man stood before the Pulaski County courtroom on Wednesday morning, facing charges of murder and other offenses in connection with the deaths of his father and grandfather, and the attempted murder of his grandmother.
Austin Prather, the accused, appeared in court as the sole case on the docket, following a series of events that began in early November and led to his apprehension in Indiana. The 10 a.m. hearing was swift, with Prather informing the judge that he did not have a job, leading to the appointment of two public defenders as his legal representation.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney, David Dalton, informed the judge that evidence and witness testimonies were still under review. He requested a pre-trial conference to be set two months out, indicating that discussions with the victims’ family would take place during that time.
The motive for the crimes remains unknown, although the indictment charges Prather with robbery in the first degree and tampering with physical evidence in relation to the victims, his grandparents. At present, Prather is being held without bond, with a pre-trial conference scheduled for February 22.
The community remains shaken by the tragic events and continues to seek answers in light of this devastating case. NotImplementedError