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Angela McKinnon to face Jury Trial

Probable cause has been found in the case of Angela N. McKinnon to bring her to trial. On Thursday at the Christian County Courthouse, State’s Attorney Michael Havera called Dwane Wheeler of the Kincaid Police Department to testify on the matter. The State asked Wheeler about the investigation of the case. Wheeler testified that there were search warrants obtained for cell phones belonging to the victim, Charles Stevens, as well as Destiny Doud. Wheeler said how Doud’s phone revealed that McKinnon had discussed with Doud that she was worried about jail time, and that during questioning of Doud, McKinnon had revealed that she had sold heroin to Stevens. Wheeler also said there were several other witnesses who had the same story of McKinnon selling victim heroin.

 

Wheeler said he obtained several hundred messages from victim's phone regarding the purchase of heroin from McKinnon. Wheeler testified that the police department had obtained phone conversations between McKinnon and her boyfriend regarding the Stevens, stating that defendant wished she had brought victim inside the house because she could have saved him. Wheeler also mentioned that he had spoken to McKinnon, and testified that she was very vague, and stated she had told him that once she’s out of jail she was going to keep on doing what she was doing, and stated how McKinnon had stated on her Facebook that she loves the money after the Stevens’ death. Wheeler also stated he had other witnesses who testified that McKinnon had sold the lethal dose of heroin to Stevens.

 

The Defense asked if Wheeler could say definitively if he could say that victim bought heroin from McKinnon. He said he could not, and identified several others who victim was reaching out to for heroin; including two Stevens’ had reached out to that day which included McKinnon. The Defense argued that Stevens could have had other sources of heroin, and that there is no direct evidence linking McKinnon to selling the heroin that lead to Stevens’ death. The Defense stated they understand why McKinnon is the prime suspect, but that there isn’t enough evidence to hold her and that the case should be dismissed.

 

The State argued that due to testimony from Wheeler, there is sufficient evidence for the court to find probable cause. The Court ruled that there is probable cause to bring defendant to trial. The Court set dates of Sept 12th at 8:30a for Jury Trial, and August 23rd for further pre-trial.

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