Published: November 10, 2009 08:28 am      

Man accused of assaulting grandmother indicted

By Adam S. Sulfridge / Staff Writer

A Whitley County Grand Jury found probable cause to indict a man accused of assaulting his grandmother, a woman accused of leading police on a high speed pursuit before ramming a police car, and 10 other people, according to court records released Monday.

William L. Kirklin Jr., 24, of Williamsburg, was arrested in October after he allegedly beat his wife and grandmother with a metal object. According to some residents of the Highland Park community, Kirklin’s wife ran to a neighbor’s home seeking assistance as Kirklin attempted to flee the scene in a vehicle belonging to his grandmother.

K9 Officer Brandon Prewitt responded to 606 Old Corbin Pike Road, where he reportedly found both females bleeding from multiple lacerations to their heads. Assistant Chief Rick Mosley responded to a car wreck a quarter of a mile down the road from where the alleged assault took place; Kirkin, who police said was ‘highly intoxicated,’ wrecked the stolen car into a culvert.

Both victims required medical attention and the grandmother was reportedly airlifted from Baptist Regional Medical Center to the UK Medical Center due to the severity of her head injuries. After speaking with the victims, Detective Bobby Freeman determined that the dispute likely started when the grandmother refused to give Kirklin her car keys. After that, the argument quickly turned violent.

Kirklin was also transported to Baptist Regional after being injured in the crash.

The Grand Jury indicted Kirklin for first-degree assault, theft by unlawful taking over $10,000, and first-degree criminal mischief.

Tammy D. Mills (aka Tammy Fuston) was also indicted on charges of first-degree fleeing or evading police, second-offense operating a motor vehicle under the influence, first-degree wanton endangerment, operating a motor vehicle on a DUI-suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest.

On Oct. 24, Mills fled from police along Hwy. 25 at a high rate of speed, reportedly running several vehicles off the roadway. A Corbin police officer deployed spike strips and punctured one of her tires. With one flat, Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson said her car kind of “hobbled” onto Savoy Depot Road and then into the driveway at her home.

When police attempted to block her vehicle in the driveway, Mills allegedly rammed into Officer Mike Taylor’s cruiser.

Also indicted was:

—Jason Wagers for first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree persistent felony offender, and leaving the scene of an accident.

—Dale Valentine for first-degree fleeing or evading police and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

—Deanna M. Streetman for theft by failure to make required disposition of property over $500 but less than $10,000.

—Adam W. Smith for flagrant non-support.

—Gary Ustler for flagrant non-support and being a persistent felony offender.

—Michael D. Walker for second-degree robbery.

—Joshua L. Ball and Bryan K. Ball for receiving stolen property over $500 but less than $10,000, third-degree assault, and resisting arrest.

—Robert Steward for cultivating marijuana, five plants or more.

—John D. Monhollen, Michael E. Neelley, and Melanie L. Loveless for manufacturing methamphetamine, and being persistent felony offenders.

—Tonya Neal Privett for second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.