Request made for DNA

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September 27, 2009

Request made for DNA

By RONNIE ELLIS The Glasgow Daily Times Sun Sep 27, 2009, 08:49 AM CDT

LEXINGTON — Steve Nunn, the former legislator and one-time gubernatorial candidate charged with the murder of his ex-fiancée, waived his right Friday to a preliminary hearing, sending the case to a Fayette County grand jury.

Nunn, 56, appeared by video from the Lexington Jail as his attorney, Astrida Lemkins, told Fayette District Judge Julie Goodman, “Your honor, we waive this hearing to the grand jury.”

Nunn’s only statement was to answer Goodman when she asked whether he could see Lemkins.

“Yes, ma’am, I can,” Nunn responded.

Nunn is charged with the shooting death of Amanda Ross, 29, who was found with multiple gunshot wounds outside her Lexington townhouse on Sept. 11. She was pronounced dead a short time later at the University of Kentucky Hospital. Later that day, Kentucky State Police and the Barren County Sheriff’s Department found Nunn with a gun and his wrists cut hiding in the small Hart County cemetery where his parents, former Gov. Louie B. Nunn and Beula Nunn are buried.

In March, a Fayette District Judge placed Nunn under a domestic violence order after Ross accused him of hitting her several times in the face during an altercation at her home. Kentucky law allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty if a person placed under a DVO is convicted of murder of the person who sought the order.

Several family members, including the victim’s mother Diana Ross, and friends of the family, filled the first four rows in the courtroom gallery Friday. Several wore badges with Amanda Ross’ photograph.

Nunn appeared unshaven and wore standard jail clothing. He did not speak except when telling Goodman he could see his attorney.

The prosecution filed a motion seeking a DNA sample from Nunn citing the need to determine the source of blood on items in evidence. The hearing will also consider whether Nunn will undergo psychological evaluation.

Lemkins refused to comment after the brief hearing, which lasted only about five minutes. Unlike a week ago, when Lemkins conducted a lengthy, impromptu news conference with reporters after Nunn’s arraignment, Friday Lemkins immediately left the courtroom and answered all questions from reporters following her by saying, “I have no comment at this time.”

Nunn served in the state House of Representatives for 15 years before losing to Democrat Johnny Bell in 2006. He ran for governor in the 2003 Republican primary, finishing a distant third behind eventual winner Ernie Fletcher.

In 2007, Nunn crossed party lines to endorse Democrat Steve Beshear in his bid to unseat Fletcher. When Beshear won, he named Nunn to his transition team and later appointed him as Deputy Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Nunn resigned that position in March, the day after he was placed under the DVO.

Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis(at)cnhi.com.

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