The Associated Press
WEST LIBERTY — Kentucky State Police say a man who escaped from an eastern Kentucky jail last month will face murder charges if he survives a bullet wound.
Police received a call about shots being fired at a residence Monday morning in Morgan County.
Trooper Ralph Lockard says the suspect was gone when they arrived but they learned that the man had taken one of the residents, Melissa Patrick, against her will.
Lockard says the 38-year-old Patrick was fatally shot by Robin Maple, who was also shot. Maple is in critical condition at the University of Kentucky Hospital. Lockard says police have not determined how Maple, who has a child with Patrick, was shot.
Lockard says Maple faces murder, kidnapping and other charges if he survives.
Maple escaped from the Montgomery County Jail in October.
If you are in an abusive relationship and need help, call Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program’s confidential crisis line (800) 544-2022.
This tragedy is yet more evidence of the deeply fractured judicial system in Kentucky.
I find it difficult to place the fault upon Montgomery County Jailer Myers, as many jailers use trustees to offset costs of over-populated/over-burdened jails.
Robin Mapel,like many criminals, saw a break and chose to run. Unfortunately, his prior choices led to his incarceration. His continuing bad choices have now led to a horrific tragedy.
Gone is a young mother who, no doubt, had been a victim of domestic terrorization. After twice having her son “kidnapped” by his father (who then abandoned the child after he wrecked), Melissa Patrick still asked Montgomery Countians, in a letter, to give Mr. Mapel a break and allow them to get their lives together. This is typical behavior with domestic abuse. My heart breaks at how her innocence and naivete have left her dead and her son without parents.
My thoughts and prayers are with both sets of parents. I also hope and pray this child will be placed with loving parents in an abuse free home. Can you imagine all he’s seen and had to endure in his 2 short years on earth?
Yes, many jailers do use trustees. However, is it difficult to question the reasoning of using someone as a trustee that had kidnapped his son twice, wrecked his vehicle and left his small child trapped in the vehicle while he ran from the police because he was more worried about himself than his child, threatened on numerous occasions to kill the mother of his child, barricaded himself from the police for hours, and was obviously mentally disturbed? Does that sound like a resume for a jail trustee to you. if it does, I’m sure you can get a job at the Montgomery County Jail!
How does “liable in a wrongful death suit sound?”
this is a very bad thing to happen why couldnt the mt. sterling police find this man. i know for a fact he had plenty family there and they knew his whereabouts. he has been on the run for a month. please. and yes i wouldnt let him be no trustee for nothing. they wouldnt even let my brother be a trustee and his crime was less. the jailer was concern for that woman life and the childs.