Montgomery seeking death penalty for Crozier
By Janie Slaven
CNHI News Service
The man facing four indictments stemming from the events occurring over the same October night — leaving one man dead and three others injured — learned officially this week that prosecutors will seek the death penalty against him.
Bret D. Crozier, 35, of Somerset, appeared before Pulaski Circuit Judge Jeffrey Burdette Thursday to be arraigned for the newest charges against him.
One indictment involves two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree robbery and one count of first-degree burglary in connection to the Oct. 24 shootings of 23-year-old Samuei Slores and 24-year-old Diego Martinez at their home on Sycamore Trail in Somerset. That incident occurred around 11 p.m. with both victims being airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
A second indictment stems from the shooting of 44-year-old Ronnie Taylor in the early morning hours of Oct. 25 at a Dahl Road location in Shopville. Charges include one count of first-degree assault and two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment.
Both cases will likely be consolidated with two previous indictments charging Crozier with the Oct. 24 fatal shooting of 76-year-old Albert Hail at his Oak Hill Road home and an attempt to elude authorities once Crozier was located around 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 25.
Crozier was indicted for murder, first-degree burglary and kidnapping an adult and minor whom authorities say were forced to accompany him to Hail’s residence.
The final indictment was actually the first one that the grand jury returned — stemming from a high-speed pursuit westbound on KY 80 which ended when Crozier crashed his car on Pumphouse Road. Crozier, who had been accompanied by a 17-year-old female and eight-month-old baby, was charged with two counts of first-degree wanton Endangerment, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, first-degree fleeing or evading police, tampering with physical evidence, and operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Among the four indictments — which will likely be consolidated — were no less than 14 counts of persistent felony offender.
Though he had already indicated he would seek the death penalty once Crozier had been charged with murder, Commonwealth’s Attorney Eddy Montgomery gave formal notice to Judge Burdette during Thursday's hearing.
The defense seemed prepared for the notice with Sandra Brown — a Lexington-based attorney with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy’s capital trial branch — making her first appearance representing Crozier. Brown replaces local public defender Kenton Lanham and entered not guilty pleas on Crozier’s behalf in all four cases.
Crozier remains lodged at the Pulaski County Detention Center without bond. His next hearing is scheduled for March 17, when Judge Burdette is expected to set a trial date.
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