Retrial date set in Georgetown killing

Central Kentucky Bureau

A retrial has been set for next April for a Georgetown man found guilty in the January 2004 death of his pregnant ex-girlfriend.

In October 2004, Roger L. McBeath Jr., 26, was found guilty of shooting 18-year-old Ashley Lyons of Georgetown. Her family said she was meeting McBeath to show him ultrasound picture of the unborn baby.

The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that McBeath should get a new trial because a jail informant overstepped his bounds by questioning McBeath in jail about the shooting and the defense was not allowed to question the accuser, which denied McBeath's Sixth Amendment right.

The retrial was scheduled for April 17-30, 2009, the Commonwealth Attorney's Office said. The next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6.

The Herald-Leader allows readers to comment on stories. The views expressed here are not those of the Herald-Leader or its staff. Readers must avoid personal attacks and libelous or inappropriate remarks. See our commenting policy here. Some comments may be reprinted in the newspaper. Registered user names are posted with comments.