A Caldwell County judge is reviewing a motion to exclude a murder victim’s toxicology report following a pretrial conference for Tommy Dunning Tuesday morning.
Dunning is charged with murder in the death of Ursula Hamlet at a home on Coleman Crider Road during some kind of altercation on November 22, 2021. Kentucky State Police detectives said they found Hamlet in the home with a single gunshot wound to her neck. She was pronounced deceased at the scene by Caldwell County Coroner Dewayne Trafford.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Tommy Dunning, his attorney Steven Ellingsworth, and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Chad Nelson appeared before Circuit Court Judge Jamus Redd. Ellingsworth requested that the judge deny the motion to exclude Hamlet’s toxicology report as evidence, arguing that it is relevant to the case.
click to download audioNelson contended that the toxicology report is not relevant.
click to download audioEllingsworth countered, asserting that he believed the victim’s behavior could be pertinent to the shooting.
click to download audioAfter considering the arguments, Judge Redd stated that he would take the matter under advisement and render a decision at a later time.
Dunning is scheduled to go to trial in December and will be back in court for another pretrial conference on October 1.
