Conrad draws 7.5 year sentence
By Kat Russell, Reporter
The Paducah Sun
May 7, 2016
http://www.paducahsun.com/news/local/050716_PS_Conrad_Sentencing
"Mr. Conrad may not have shown up with the intention of shooting Mr. Cox in the head. But the law is quite clear that you cannot use deadly force and shoot someone - execute them - for stealing property from a storage shed."
That's the message McCracken Circuit Judge Tim Kaltenbach had for Jeffrey Conrad on Friday while sentencing Conrad to 71/2 years in prison.
He will have to serve 20 percent - or 18 months - of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
Conrad was convicted of second-degree manslaughter in March after he fatally shot Garlon Casey Cox last summer at a Reidland storage facility.
Throughout his case, Conrad has maintained his innocence, stating he shot Cox in defense of a friend. Conrad claims his friend was standing in the path of Cox's truck and Cox began to back his vehicle toward her.
During the sentencing, Kaltenbach disagreed with Conrad's claims, arguing there were other actions Conrad could have taken.
"The law is that the use of deadly force should be a last resort, not a first resort," the judge said.
"Mr. Conrad could have simply dialed 911 as opposed to pulling his weapon and shooting Mr. Cox in the head at very close range. I think it's a criminal act, and he is not a victim here as he is trying to portray himself."
Kaltenbach also denied Conrad's request for probation, stating Conrad needed correctional help.
The defense filed two motions, one to vacate the guilty verdict and another requesting a new trial. Both were denied.
When it was Conrad's turn to address the court, he showed little remorse, calling Cox and his partner "criminally enterprising thieves high on crystal meth" and blaming them for what transpired the day of the shooting.
"Mr. Cox exercised extremely poor judgment in so many ways on June 8, 2015," Conrad said.
"A jury has now sat in judgment of me and determined that I was unjustified in my protection of another defense. I disagree with their verdict, and I have two questions for everyone: How long was I supposed to wait and see what might have happened? How close should I have let Mr. Cox get to my friend with his truck before I acted to protect her?"
Conrad also took the opportunity to address Cox's parents, Bobbie and Ronnie Cox.
"My parents taught me that stealing is wrong, that illicit drug use is bad for me and that there are consequences to my actions," he said. "Your son's actions have forever changed the course of my life. However, I am truly sorry for your loss."
Following Conrad, Cox's mother addressed the court.
Shaking as she spoke, Bobbie Cox described the morning when she learned her son was dead.
"When my husband told me that Casey was dead, that someone had shot him in the head, I screamed and screamed," she said.
"No parent should have to hear your son was murdered. No parent should have to sit with the funeral director and discuss details. No parent should have to see their child in a coffin."
She then spoke of her son, describing him as a good man who had some problems.
"He was a good man and a good son and he deserved to live a long and happy life ... He may have had problems, but he's never going to get a chance to correct that."
"I am sad, depressed, mournful and angry," she said. "He was murdered over stuff. We will always miss his laughter, his jokes and his dancing. We love him and we will continue to love him."
Following her remarks, Bobbie Cox showed the judge a certificate signed by President Barack Obama, honoring Cox for his military service.
The certificate read:
"This certificate is awarded by a grateful nation in recognition of devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States."
Following the hearing, Conrad's attorney, Doug Moore, informed the court an appeal would be filed. Conrad has 30 days to appeal his case.
Contact Kat Russell, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8653.
That's the message McCracken Circuit Judge Tim Kaltenbach had for Jeffrey Conrad on Friday while sentencing Conrad to 71/2 years in prison.
He will have to serve 20 percent - or 18 months - of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
Conrad was convicted of second-degree manslaughter in March after he fatally shot Garlon Casey Cox last summer at a Reidland storage facility.
Throughout his case, Conrad has maintained his innocence, stating he shot Cox in defense of a friend. Conrad claims his friend was standing in the path of Cox's truck and Cox began to back his vehicle toward her.
During the sentencing, Kaltenbach disagreed with Conrad's claims, arguing there were other actions Conrad could have taken.
"The law is that the use of deadly force should be a last resort, not a first resort," the judge said.
"Mr. Conrad could have simply dialed 911 as opposed to pulling his weapon and shooting Mr. Cox in the head at very close range. I think it's a criminal act, and he is not a victim here as he is trying to portray himself."
Kaltenbach also denied Conrad's request for probation, stating Conrad needed correctional help.
The defense filed two motions, one to vacate the guilty verdict and another requesting a new trial. Both were denied.
When it was Conrad's turn to address the court, he showed little remorse, calling Cox and his partner "criminally enterprising thieves high on crystal meth" and blaming them for what transpired the day of the shooting.
"Mr. Cox exercised extremely poor judgment in so many ways on June 8, 2015," Conrad said.
"A jury has now sat in judgment of me and determined that I was unjustified in my protection of another defense. I disagree with their verdict, and I have two questions for everyone: How long was I supposed to wait and see what might have happened? How close should I have let Mr. Cox get to my friend with his truck before I acted to protect her?"
Conrad also took the opportunity to address Cox's parents, Bobbie and Ronnie Cox.
"My parents taught me that stealing is wrong, that illicit drug use is bad for me and that there are consequences to my actions," he said. "Your son's actions have forever changed the course of my life. However, I am truly sorry for your loss."
Following Conrad, Cox's mother addressed the court.
Shaking as she spoke, Bobbie Cox described the morning when she learned her son was dead.
"When my husband told me that Casey was dead, that someone had shot him in the head, I screamed and screamed," she said.
"No parent should have to hear your son was murdered. No parent should have to sit with the funeral director and discuss details. No parent should have to see their child in a coffin."
She then spoke of her son, describing him as a good man who had some problems.
"He was a good man and a good son and he deserved to live a long and happy life ... He may have had problems, but he's never going to get a chance to correct that."
"I am sad, depressed, mournful and angry," she said. "He was murdered over stuff. We will always miss his laughter, his jokes and his dancing. We love him and we will continue to love him."
Following her remarks, Bobbie Cox showed the judge a certificate signed by President Barack Obama, honoring Cox for his military service.
The certificate read:
"This certificate is awarded by a grateful nation in recognition of devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States."
Following the hearing, Conrad's attorney, Doug Moore, informed the court an appeal would be filed. Conrad has 30 days to appeal his case.
Contact Kat Russell, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8653.
