“A 29 year old Vanceburg housewife has been charged with second degree murder of a 10 month old baby in what police term a ‘weird’ incident.”
“The circumstances- Mrs. Norma Jean Smith had arranged with a friend, Mrs. Helen McKinney, Carrington Street, to help with wallpapering a room at the McKinney home.”
“Mrs. Smith arrived, carrying her 10 month old son. Preparing to paper the bedroom, Mrs. McKinney moved a loaded 12 gauge shotgun from a corner of the room. At the same time, Mrs. McKinney, was saying ‘baby talk’ to the smiling baby…and according to police versions, poked him gently in the stomach with the shotgun…the gun exploded, instantly killing the child.”
“Mrs. McKinney said the slaying was accidental, but Kentucky State Trooper Ershall Shouse1, who investigated signed a warrant charging Mrs. McKinney with second degree manslaughter.’
“Mrs. McKinney was placed in jail, but released Saturday morning on $10,000 bond.”
“County Judge Boom Dummitt offered to appoint a court attorney to defend Mrs. McKinney, but she told the court she would have her own lawyer. Judge Dummett said that after Mrs. McKinney obtains her attorney, the decision will be made whether to conduct a preliminary hearing or waive the case to the next Lewis County grand jury.”2
- Erchall B. Shouse
- 10 month old slain in “weird” incident. (1976, September 2). Morehead News.
