KY News - Defense challenges death penalty in Shannon Gilday case, citing mental illness

Defense challenges death penalty in Shannon Gilday case, citing mental illness

MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Attorneys for Shannon Gilday are pushing to have the death penalty removed as a possible punishment in the high-profile murder case involving the death of Jordan Morgan, daughter of former state lawmaker C. Wesley Morgan.

During a mental competency hearing held Monday, the court heard from three doctors who evaluated Gilday’s mental health. Two of those doctors — including one from the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center (KCPC) — testified for the defense, stating that Gilday has a form of schizophrenia. A third doctor, however, testified that Gilday was not psychotic at the time of the alleged crime.

The hearing is a key step in determining whether Gilday is mentally fit to face the death penalty. A post-hearing brief is due by August 15. The next court date is a status hearing scheduled for October 3 at 10 a.m.

Gilday is charged with killing Jordan Morgan during a home invasion at her family’s Richmond home in 2022. Prosecutors have said they intend to pursue the death penalty in the case.

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Tags: C. Wesley Morgan daughter, death penalty Kentucky, Gilday schizophrenia defense, Jordan Morgan murder, KCPC testimony, Kentucky mental competency hearing, Madison County court, Richmond KY home invasion, Shannon Gilday hearing, Shannon Gilday trial update

Source: Defense challenges death penalty in Shannon Gilday case, citing mental illness