Father, son get total of 40 years

Sat, May 17 2008

— By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer
The recommended sentences of a father and son who pleaded guilty in February for their involvement in the September 2006 shooting death and burglary of an East Bernstadt man were upheld Friday in Laurel County Circuit Court.
Adam Mitchell Carpenter was sentenced to five years on one count of facilitation of murder and 15 years for one count of first-degree burglary with the terms to be served consecutively. He will receive credit for 538 days served.
Judge Roderick Messer gave both men an opportunity to speak before handing down their formal sentence.
“I never meant for this to happen,” Adam Carpenter said. “I’m sorry.”
Messer overruled Mitchell Carpenter’s request to withdraw his guilty plea, reminding him that he had taken an oath when he entered the plea last month.
“I wanted the truth to come out,” Mitchell Carpenter said.
Mitchell Carpenter was sentenced to three years on one count of facilitation of murder and 17 years on a count of first-degree burglary with the terms to be served consecutively. He will receive credit for 539 days served.
The men had pleaded guilty to the charges by providing George Robert Sherman with the means to commit the murder of Warren Baker.
In 2006, Sherman told police he went to a residence on Dean Hundley Road in East Bernstadt with Adam Carpenter where Baker could be located. Sherman said the two went concerning a report of stolen pills and said he went along to ensure a fair fight. He also said Mitchell Carpenter drove the two men to the scene.
According to Sherman’s testimony in district court, the gun went off accidentally. However, he pleaded guilty to murder and first-degree burglary in November 2007 and was sentenced to 36 years as part of a plea agreement.

Brad Hicks can be reached at bhicks@thetimestribune.com