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Thread: John C. Combs Sentenced in 2009 KY Slaying of Dr. Dennis Sandlin

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    John C. Combs Sentenced in 2009 KY Slaying of Dr. Dennis Sandlin

    Prosecutor Seeking Death Penalty In Eastern Kentucky Doctor's Slaying

    A prosecutor says she will seek the death penalty against a man charged with killing a popular doctor last year in his rural Appalachian clinic.

    Perry's Commonwealth Attorney Teresa Reed said in an interview with The Associated Press that she filed the notice Monday in the case against John C. Combs. She said she made the decision with the support of family members of Dennis Sandlin, who was shot to death last December in his Cornettsville clinic.

    The Hazard Herald was first to report the filing.

    Reed said two aggravating circumstances make Combs eligible for the death penalty. A firearm was used that could have harmed multiple people, and a burglary was committed because the alleged crime happened in a remote part of the office.

    http://www.lex18.com/news/prosecutor-seeking-death-penalty-in-eastern-kentucky-doctors-slaying/

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    Suspect May Face Death In Perry County Doctor's Murder; Trial Date Set


    The trial for the man accused of killing a Perry County doctor in his office is set to go to trial after a judge heard motions in the case Wednesday about the death penalty and also set a trial date.
    Family for both Dr. Dennis Sandlin and the man accused of killing him, John Combs, sat at opposite ends of the courtroom as the judge heard arguments about the death penalty in the case. Police say last December, Combs walked into the Leatherwood-Blackey Medical Center with a revolver and shot and killed the doctor.
    The prosecution argues the fact that Combs was carrying a gun into the office where guns were not allowed and put several other people's lives in danger makes him eligible for the death penalty..
    Combs attorneys say if this case qualifies for the death penalty based on the fact he had a gun then it opens up the possibility of the death penalty for those accused of similar crimes.
    Combs attorneys also tried to argue the death penalty is unconstitutional and is only sought in this case because Sandlin was a popular figure in the community.
    The judge denied all those motions, which allows a jury to decide if Combs should be put to death.
    The trial is set to happen in May. However, Combs' attorney says he plans to file for a change of venue.


    http://www.lex18.com/news/suspect-ma...rial-date-set/

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    Judge continues trial in slain doctor case

    The trial of a Knott County man accused of murdering a Perry County physician was pushed back several months during a hearing Monday in Perry Circuit Court.

    Three years have passed since Dr. Dennis Sandlin was shot and killed while working in the Leatherwood-Blackey Clinic. It was Dec. 8, 2009 when then 46-year-old John Carlos Combs of Red Fox was arrested and jailed after police say he walked into the clinic and fatally shot Dr. Sandlin. Combs was indicted the following month on charges of murder, first-degree burglary, tampering with physical evidence and third-degree terroristic threatening.

    Combs was set to go to trial on Jan. 7, but on Monday special Judge John David Caudill approved a motion for a continuance filed by the defense. He is now scheduled to go to trial on Monday, May 13, 2013.

    Commonwealth’s Attorney Teresa Reed had filed to seek the death penalty, though she will not prosecute the case after losing her bid for re-election last month.

    John Hansen is the commonwealth’s attorney-elect and will be sworn into office early next month. He did not attend Monday’s hearing, noting that he is continuing to work in his private law practice until he takes office, but added that he has been in contact with the family and is familiar with the case.

    “We’ve been meeting with the family, so we’re up-to-date with everything,” Hansen said. “The May date will be fine.”

    To date, the trial has been continued at least twice now, and several other motions have been filed. Combs was found competent to stand trial in June 2010, and two months later Judge Caudill placed a gag order on the case, preventing any participants from publicly commenting on its details.

    In Oct. 2010, Caudill declined to approve a defense motion that would have disqualifed the death penalty, and in March 2011 declined a defense request for a change of venue. The trial remains scheduled to take place in Perry Circuit Court.

    Combs pleaded not guilty during his initial arraignment, and remains lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail on a $1 million bond as he awaits trial.

    http://www.hazard-herald.com/view/fu...in-doctor-case
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    Murder trial remains set for July 22

    The trial of a Knott County man charged with murder in the 2009 shooting death of Dr. Dennis Sandlin remains on schedule for later this month.

    John C. Combs, 49, of Red Fox, appeared in Perry Circuit Court on Thursday for a status conference where his attorney, James Baechtold, argued several motions in the case.

    Combs was arrested in December 2009 after he was alleged to have walked into the Leatherwood-Blackey Clinic in Perry County and fatally shot Dr. Sandlin. He was indicted the following month on charges of murder, first-degree burglary, tampering with physical evidence, and third-degree terroristic threatening. He faces the death penalty if convicted.

    Combs has been lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail on a $1 million bond since his indictment. He was found competent to stand trial during a hearing in June 2010, and then-Commonwealth’s Attorney Teresa Reed filed a notice to seek the death penalty the following month. In August 2010, citing the need to empanel an impartial jury, Circuit Judge John David Caudill issued a gag order preventing any participants, including family members, from making public statements regarding the case.

    Several motions, including a request for a change of venue, have been argued in the past two years. Among the motions heard on Thursday included one to issue prospective jurors expanded questionnaires. The forms would have included 103 questions for each candidate. Baechtold said the questionnaire, which included demographic information, could have hastened the juror selection process once the trial begins.

    Commonwealth’s Attorney John Hansen, however, objected to the motion, saying the form would have been unnecessarily intrusive, while some of the questions would be asked by the court during the selection process.

    Judge Caudill, the chief regional judge from Floyd County assigned as special judge in the case, denied the motion, saying Baechtold’s request could have been made months ago. Caudill went on to note the time it takes to complete the jury selection process should not be a consideration when determining how the process takes place.

    “It’s not a question of how quick we can get through it,” Caudill said. “I don’t look at it that way. We get through it when we do what’s appropriate, however long it takes.”

    Judge Caudill heard a few more motions on Thursday, including one for the commonwealth’s attorney’s office to disclose any evidence that may be used in a possible penalty phase of the trial, and another regarding prospective jurors’ religious affiliation.

    Combs’s trial, which has been continued multiple times since 2010, is currently set to begin with jury selection in Perry Circuit Court on July 22.

    http://www.hazard-herald.com/view/fu...et-for-July-22
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    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

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    Man pleads guilty in doctor’s murder

    Several of Dr. Dennis Sandlin’s family members were present on Thursday as Knott County resident John C. Combs admitted that he walked into Dr. Sandlin’s clinic in 2009 and fatally shot him. Combs now faces up to 40 years in prison.

    It was in December 2009 that Combs, 49, shot Dr. Sandlin inside the Leatherwood-Blackey Clinic in the Cornettsville community. He was indicted the next month on charges of murder, burglary, tampering with physical evidence, and terroristic threatening. He was set for trial on July 22, and was facing the death penalty had he been convicted by a jury.

    While entering his plea in Perry Circuit Court on Thursday, Combs admitted he had been seen by Dr. Sandlin on the morning of Dec. 8, 2009. He said he had been taking the antidepressant Xanax for a period of time and had decided to quit taking the medication, and, upon advice from his family, was seeking help for what he described as high anxiety. He also noted he began taking medication for depression again in the months following the shooting.

    Judge John David Caudill of Floyd County, who was assigned to the case as special judge, asked Combs if he had been coerced to plead guilty or if Combs had made the decision to enter the plea himself. Combs replied that the decision was his, and he was entering the plea because he is guilty.

    “What did you do that got you charged with murder?” Caudill asked.

    “I killed a man,” Combs replied.

    “That’s not what I’m asking you,” the judge continued. “What did you do?”

    “I killed him,” Combs said.

    “Killed who?” Caudill asked.

    “Dr. Sandlin,” he answered.

    Judge Caudill asked Combs to described the circumstances that led to the shooting. Combs replied he was suffering from anxiety and was angry. He said he couldn’t recall much, that the morning was “vague, like a dream.”

    Caudill then asked what Dr. Sandlin had done that caused Combs to shoot him that day.

    “He told me he couldn’t help me without insurance,” Combs said, which drew an audible reaction of disbelief from some of Dr. Sandlin’s family members in the audience.

    Combs said he asked for his money back, which he received, and left the clinic. Caudill asked if he had a firearm with him the whole time. Combs said he did not have the gun during his initial visit to the clinic, and was only armed when he returned.

    “Where’d you get it from?” Caudill asked about the gun.

    “I stole it from my mom,” Combs answered.

    “Then you went back?” Caudill asked.

    “Yes, sir,” he replied.

    Combs said after returning to the clinic he walked back in through the front door and met Dr. Sandlin at the nurse’s station and shot him.

    Caudill went on to make a finding that Combs is guilty of murder based upon his plea. He set a sentencing hearing for Oct. 10.

    According to the plea agreement announced in court, Combs pleaded guilty to murder in exchange for a 40-year prison sentence. The remaining charges will be dismissed at the time of sentencing.

    Combs’s plea likely will bring to a conclusion a case that has gone on for more than three years and included numerous hearings on topics ranging from a change of venue to evidentiary issues. He was found competent to stand trial in 2010, and the trial has been continued several times since. A gag order was also placed on the case that prevented participants, including family members, from speaking publicly.

    Combs is currently lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail in Hazard. He will next appear in court for sentencing, at which time Caudill will announce whether he has accepted the plea agreement. While none of Dr. Sandlin’s family members were permitted to speak during the hearing on Thursday, Caudill did indicate they would be allowed to address the court concerning any issues they may have with the place agreement at a later date.

    http://www.hazard-herald.com/view/fu...octor-s-murder
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    John C. Combs sentenced to 40 years for murdering Perry County doctor

    Sitting and waiting for nearly four years.

    On Thursday, loved ones of Dr. Dennis Sandlin finally got to see his murderer brought to justice.

    John C. Combs received 40 years behind bars.

    We have all heard the saying that time heals all wounds but for the family of Dr. Dennis Sandlin, it simply lessens the pain.

    Sandlin's younger sister, Leila Sandlin Smith, said there is no denying Combs' guilt.

    "It was cold. It was calculated. It was premeditated. He had plenty of time to think about what he was doing and make that decision that day and the reality is Denny was probably one that if he really wanted help, he would have helped him," said Smith.

    Smith said knowing Combs will spend the next 40 years in prison is a blessing but she said her family is not finished yet.

    "We are going to be keeping close watch because we are going to make sure that he does spend his life behind bars," said Smith.

    Judge John David Caudill agreed and told Combs during sentencing that he hoped he would not make parole.

    Defense attorney Jim Baechtold said his client is apologetic.

    "He is remorseful and he is sorry and he will be paying the price for it in a state penitentiary," said Baechtold.

    Several friends of Sandlin sat in court.

    Fess Halcomb was a former patient of Dr. Sandlin.

    He said more than a life was lost back in December 2009 when Combs shot Sandlin in his clinic.

    "This man did not just kill a doctor. He killed a community," said Halcomb.

    Smith said those close to her brother have helped her family keep fighting for him.

    "That is what has kept us motivated and moving at times when we just did not know if we could continue, you know? They provided us that strength and support," said Smith.

    Combs tried to speak after he was sentenced but the judge would not allow it.

    Smith said her family wants to continue fighting for the rights of murder victim's families in court.

    Combs sentence was part of a plea deal.

    He pleaded guilty to murder in order to avoid the death penalty.

    http://www.wkyt.com/wymt/home/headli...227302401.html
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

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