Jury selection starts in trial of man charged with killing former KY lawmaker’s daughter
Before they can present evidence to argue the guilt or innocence of a man charged in a deadly Madison County home invasion, attorneys have to determine whether jurors would be willing to sentence Shannon Gilday to death for allegedly killing a Central Kentucky woman.
The trial for Gilday, 27, will begin Friday morning in Shelby County, and is expected to last a month. A portion of that time will be dedicated to jury selection, with three separate portions of juror questioning, according to court documents.
Gilday faces charges of murder, assault, three counts of attempted murder, burglary and criminal mischief for the deadly 2022 home invasion at C. Wesley Morgan’s mansion.
He’s accused of killing Jordan Morgan, a 32-year-old lawyer and daughter of former state lawmaker C. Wesley Morgan, while she was asleep in her bed.
The largest portion is dedicated to “individual voir dire,” where prosecutors and defense lawyers will ask jurors their beliefs about the death penalty, often referred to as the “death qualification.”
During this process, potential jurors are questioned about their views on capital punishment. Anyone whose beliefs could prevent them from following the law can be removed. A potential juror should be able to consider both a sentence of death and a sentence less than death under Kentucky law.
Once a jury is selected, prosecutors will begin their presentation of evidence.
The death penalty has been debated at length in this case. Gilday’s attorney, Thomas Griffiths, previously fought to exclude capital punishment as an option, arguing his client was seriously mentally ill.
Gilday’s soundness of mind, and whether he could face the death penalty, was one reason the case’s progress has slowed.
In an order published Oct. 17, Madison Circuit Judge Cole Adams Maier ruled Gilday was competent to face the death penalty.
The trial comes as many state Republican officials, including Attorney General Russell Coleman, are eager for Gov. Andy Beshear to resume the death penalty in Kentucky. Kentucky hasn’t executed someone since 2008, and the death penalty has been blocked since 2010 in the commonwealth.
Morgan’s family has been vocal and adamant about their desire to see Gilday face the death penalty.
New testing shows DNA likely matches Gilday
A laboratory report was published Tuesday that showed Gilday’s DNA matched several items of evidence found at the scene.
Kentucky State Police tested several items, including four live rounds, two gun magazines and a flashlight, according to a report.
Analysis shows Gilday’s DNA is the most likely match to DNA found on three items: the flashlight, a live round located by the front entryway and a gun magazine.
Several of the items were not sufficient for analysis or a full determination.
