Jury finds Kentucky man charged with murder guilty of lesser charge
After nearly three hours of deliberations, a Fayette County jury voted to convict a man on trial for murder of a lesser charge.
Jerry Price, 42, was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter Wednesday afternoon. He was charged with killing 40-year-old Ricky Williams after a minor car accident in May 2022.
The jurors are now entering the penalty phase to discuss the sentence that Price could face.
Prosecutors argued the shooting was murder; the suspect’s lawyers argued he acted in self-defense.
Price’s trial began Monday, and attorneys presented closing statements Wednesday morning. Testimony and video footage revealed Price and Williams were involved in a minor car accident. When they parked to exchange information, a verbal argument ensued and Price shot at Williams 13 times.
Price claimed Williams was aggressive and he heard the word “gun,” which prompted him to fire at Williams to protect him and his wife who was in the car at the time of the shooting.
Defense attorney Marcel Bush Radomile said Price was panicked.
“This case is all about (Price) and what was and wasn’t in his mind,” she said during her closing statements. “I submit to you that he had no intent to kill; he was just reacting blindly.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Brad Bryant said the shooting was intentional and unprovoked. Bryant focused on the fact Price shot 13 times as Williams was walking away from the altercation.
“I don’t know how you can look at it and not say it is intentional,” Bryant told jurors. “...I can’t think of anything other than he wanted to kill somebody — even if it was a snap decision.”
Two camera angles showed Williams and Price argue behind the cars before shots were fired. Williams ran in front of the cars before collapsing on the ground.
Police officers found Williams dead, lying face-down on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds.
Jurors began deliberation around 11 a.m. Wednesday.
This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 12:03 PM.
