Evidence backlog delays Kentucky case of murder, dismemberment
The lawyer for a Robertson County woman charged with murdering, dismembering and cooking her mother expressed frustration Monday about an evidence testing backlog in Kentucky.
Laura Fitzer, attorney for Torilena Fields, 32, said budget constraints and a lack of employees available for testing in state agencies can delay their case from proceeding efficiently.
Fields, 32, is accused of shooting her mother, Trudy Fields, in the head and stabbing her before decapitating, dismembering, eviscerating her mother’s corpse and placing her head, feet and forearms in a pot in the oven and heating them until they were charred.
She was charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, evidence tampering, torturing a cat or dog and obstructing governmental operations in October 2024.
At a hearing Monday morning, Fitzer explained that a lack of resources for testing and a high volume of evidence could delay the case.
Fitzer and co-counsel, Chris Tracy, requested that additional evidence, including trail cams, DNA testing, fingerprint testing and cell phone data, be provided.
“It’s not the prosecutor dragging their feet,” Fitzer said. “It’s just there’s not enough funding or people.”
Fitzer and Tracy expect to receive DNA and fingerprint testing from a gun and holster that belonged to James Blevins, who discovered Trudy Field’s body and the crime scene while doing work on her farm on Brierly Ridge Road in Mount Olivet.
The men said they had seen Trudy Fields at the home the evening before, and Torilena Fields had been there as well, “casting spells on them” and “being confrontational.”
Cellphones from Trudy and Torilena Fields are awaiting testing, according to prosecutors. A cell phone belonging to Telby Fields, Torilena’s sister, also was taken for analysis.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Laws said there was “visible and apparent blood” on Trudy Field’s phone.
Another slow-moving process is the determination of whether Torilena Fields is competent to stand trial.
A judge formerly ordered that Torilena Fields receive a state-administered psychological evaluation. After their report is submitted, the defense will have their own expert analyze their client.
Ultimately, a judge will hear from both sides about Fields’ mental state and make a determination as to whether or not she is capable of standing trial.
Her next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11.
This story was originally published July 14, 2025 at 12:56 PM.
