Jury Selection Enters Day Two In Accused Cop Killer's Trial

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Posted: 11:59 AM Jul 7, 2008
Last Updated: 6:16 PM Jul 9, 2008

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Jury selection entered a second day on Wednesday in Montgomery County in the trial of a man accused of gunning down a small town police chief.

Jamie Barnett stands charged with the murder of Clay City Police Chief Randy Lacy. Lacy was shot and killed by his own gun. Investigators say Barnett was in the back seat of the cruiser.

The shooting happened in Powell County, but the trail will be held in Montgomery County because there were concerns about the ability to seat an impartial jury.

At a hearing on Monday, a judge ruled that the state can seek the death penalty against Barnett.

Under federal law, a person cannot be executed unless their IQ exceeds 70. Barnett scored less than 70 on an IQ test, but an expert testified last week that he likely tried to score lower on purpose.

The judge also ruled on Monday that no one will be allowed into the courtroom during the trial if they wear anything that shows support for Chief Lacy. The judge also ruled that the Powell County Sheriff's Department will not be allowed to provide courtroom security or transport Barnett to and from the jail.

Jury selection started Tuesday morning.

The judge is optimistic that a jury will be chosen by the end of the day on Wednesday.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: James Location: Clay City on Jul 10, 2008 at 10:07 AM
These small county law systems are a loke anyway. I mean, you all know that if you have enough money and you know someone you can get away with anything. But look at Jamie he knows alot of people and had no money. And most people from Powell County just want another death for the death of there loved one, but let me tell you something, that is not going to salve anything, and that is not going to bring Randy back. Look at all the other drug addicts in Powell County. It will be just a matter of time when something like this happens again. Look people Iv'e been on drugs myself, and they will make you do some stupid stuff, just to keep out of jail, and be able to have the next fix. But i can say that GOD can take that habit away from you just as fast as you got the habit. So GOD be with all the families invalved in this.

Posted by: anonymous Location: anonymous on Jul 10, 2008 at 09:54 AM
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE DEAL WITH THE IQ TEST, WHO CARES HOW SMART HE IS, HE SHOULD STILL KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG. HE COMMITTED THE CRIME HE SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR TAKING A PERSONS LIFE. HE NEEDS TO SUCK IT UP AND TAKE IT. I DONT CARE HOW HIGH OR DOPED HE WAS HE STILL KNEW THAT TAKING SOMEONES LIFE WAS A MISTAKE. THIS COUNTRY HAS GONE TO THE DOGS. I MEAN COME ON THERE ARE DRUGS BEING SOLD TO KIDS AND PEOPLE EVERYDAY IN EVER COUNTRY. DRUGS ARE KILLING THIS COUNTRY. WHY WONT PEOPLE DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM? THE CITY POLICE OFFICER WILL BE MISSED AND WE PRAY FOR THE FAMILY.

Posted by: Rick Location: Georgetown on Jul 10, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Let Judge LYNCH take the case!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 9, 2008 at 01:42 PM
From the sounds of things this man should have been in jail along time ago. If the justice system worked the way it should Randy would still be here. All our court systems does is let people get by with everything. We need to be harder on drug related crimes. Pills are killing this country and it a slow death. This crazy S#$T of letting drug dealers and users out of jail so they can go to rehab needs to stop. I am getting sick of everyone claiming they have a drug problem and never seeing jail time. All this does it let the out of jail long enough to make another trip out of state and bring more drugs back. If you take notice almost all crimes are related to drugs even this one. I hope this man pays for his crime and never takes another life.

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Somewhere on Jul 9, 2008 at 11:15 AM
IF a 6 year old child knows right from wrong an adult, whether you have a low IQ or not, knows right from wrong. I believe in an eye for an eye! We are not judging him Wonder Woman, people just want to see someone get the punishment they truly deserve instead of being able to plead insanity and get off for whatever they did.

Posted by: me Location: clay city on Jul 9, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I knew them both I was always taught an eye for an eye tooth for tooth I'll be honest I've been that high too never would I pull a gun and blow a mans brains out its not about the drugs its not about the mistakes Randy made or the mistakes the city made. It about one person not man enough to take his punishment for the crime he committed. to be honest nomatter what county he has his trail cold blooded murder is cold blooded murder he will recieve his dues

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Jul 9, 2008 at 10:05 AM
He ain't crazy; he's my brother.

Posted by: Theresa Location: Clay City on Jul 9, 2008 at 07:11 AM
God didn't create the death penalty?!? I guess if you talking about the lethal injection or the electric chair. The only thing that you can not judge in a "man's" life is his SALVATION. Whether or not he is doing right or wrong, that can be judged. The mention of Randy not being able to repent before he was shot, how do you know, for sure, what was in Randy's heart. God knew Randy's heart. Instead of saying awful things about him in a forum that his family might see, how about ask yourself how you would feel. AND for heaven's sake stop talking about God like YOU are on his right side. Maybe, if you, that know so much about God, would ACTUALLY read your bible and hear it with your heart, maybe you wouldn't sound so ignorant.

Posted by: viewer on Jul 8, 2008 at 06:40 PM
I dont understand you people if he is covicted he needs to serve the time or sentence the system has been set up by the people years ago was it right for him to kill randy no thats what is wrong with the country is a bunch of bleeding hearts let justice take its course

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 8, 2008 at 05:21 PM
Do we really think that it's fair to kill someone to show that killing someone is wrong?? God says vengeance is his, man created the death penalty, not God.

Posted by: Abby Location: Clay City on Jul 8, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Vernerable, what in the world does hair have to do with this? God doesn't care one way or the other what our hairstyle is. God bless the families of both these men. R.I.P Randy.

Posted by: Goebel Location: Lexington on Jul 8, 2008 at 09:18 AM
If his IQ was high enought to kill Chief Randy his IQ is high enough to get the death penality.

Posted by: Rick Location: Georgetown on Jul 8, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Just one more piece of trash trying to claim that he is the victim.

Posted by: Leo Location: Stanton on Jul 8, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Jamie might have been a pill eating cold blooded killer but, Randy tipped off many drug dealers befor they could get busted. Randy did do a few good things in his life as well as Jamie. GOD is at work making things right. The sad thing is Randy didn't get to repent his sins befor he got that bullet to the back of the head and Jamie has all the time in the world to repent his befor that needle goes in his veins. GOD is in charge and I hope we can make peace with what we have. May GOD bless both families.

Posted by: Venerable Location: Clay Mold on Jul 8, 2008 at 12:30 AM
If he was so smart why didn't he trim that mullet? I heard that long hair in the back leads to partying in the front. PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THAT GOD DOESN'T LIKE LONG HAIR EVEN IN WOMEN.

Posted by: wonder woman Location: ky on Jul 7, 2008 at 11:33 PM
My BIBLE tells me not to judge.You are to pray for this people.I don't know what to think. This boy maybe should have been locked up long ago. You let him run loose to do this.So there is others to blame here to. How many more is there out there?

Posted by: Lisa Location: Beattyville on Jul 7, 2008 at 11:07 PM
I miss him.

Posted by: James Location: Lexington on Jul 7, 2008 at 07:51 PM
The whole idea of an IQ test is stupid!!! If I was facing the electric chair, I'd make myself out to be a complete moron too!!! Of course he scored lower than a 70, he knew the chair was waiting on him. This man is a cold blooded, drug eating killer!!!! Electrocute him!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: rt on Jul 7, 2008 at 06:53 PM
The death penalty for this loser won't bring back Big Randy. Clay City gave Big Randy a 24 hr a day job with no other police officers. Big Randy gave his life for Clay City. He thought more of his town, than some thought of him. Sad.

Posted by: LISA Location: BOURBON on Jul 7, 2008 at 02:03 PM
I THINK HE SHOULD GET THE DEATH PENATLY. HIS IQ MAY BE LOW BUT HE STILL KNEW RIGHT FROM WRONG AND I THINK HE STILL KNEW WHAT HE DID WAS WRONG AND HE SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR THE CRIME.

Posted by: tony Location: ky on Jul 7, 2008 at 01:35 PM
IF HIS I.Q. IS TO THE POINT OF CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH TO ANOTHER PERSON THEN, WHY DIDN'T THEY HAVE HIM COMMITTED OR CONFINED BEFORE HE "KNOWINGLY" TOOK ANOTHER PERSONS LIFE AND DESTROYED THE LIVES OF SO MANY OTHERS.YOU'LL PROBABLY HAVE TROUBLE CONVINCING ANYONE HE DIDN'T KNOW THAT A BULLET IN THE BACK OF A PERSONS HEAD WOULDN'T KILL THEM.PEOPLE NEED TO PUT THEIR FEELINGS TO THE FRIENDS & RELATIVES OF THIS TRAGEDY AND HOW THEY WOULD REACT IF THIS HAPPENED TO THEM.

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