The man charged in connection to the shooting death of Joey Hayes last month appeared before Trigg County District Court Judge Jamus Redd Tuesday morning for a preliminary hearing. 43-year old James Gentry of Hopkinsville is charged with murder after Hayes body was found inside a barn on a Buffalo Road farm last month.
Kentucky State Police Detective Cory Hamby
Kentucky State Police Detective Cory Hamby took the stand and answered questions from Trigg County Attorney Randy Braboy and Gentry’s defense attorney, Michael Thompson. Hamby testified that Hayes body was found in a hay barn.
He adds interviews with family and friends indicated Hayes was last seen on the morning of November 27th around 11:00 a.m. Hamby says three of four witnesses he spoke with said Hayes left with a diamond/engagement set they believed he was going to sell to Gentry when they met. He says Hayes and Gentry were captured on surveillance video leaving a convenience store.
During the course of several interviews, Hamby notes Gentry admitted he pawned the diamond ring for $900, which was found at a pawn shop in Russellville. In the final interview, he says Gentry stated Hayes got into the vehicle with him and they went to the farm where a drug deal was set up with two individuals.
right-click to download mp3
According to Hamby, a search warrant was served at Gentry’s home and they found a jacket with hay on it, which was consistent with the hay where Hayes’ body was found.
After being asked by Gentry’s attorney how many times Hayes was shot, Hamby said the preliminary autopsy determined he suffered six wounds.
After hearing the evidence, Judge Redd bound the case over to the grand jury. He also denied a request by Thompson to reduce Gentry’s $1 million bond and place him on house arrest with an ankle monitoring device.
