Hocker to be tried for assaulting jailer

Published 9:18 am Friday, March 10, 2017

There’s a trial date in one of the three assault cases against Brandon Hocker.

The Winchester man will be tried April 24 in his newest case for allegedly assaulting Clark County Jailer Frank Doyle in August 2015.

Prosecutors said Thursday they expect the trial to last two days. The trial will be in front of Clark Circuit Judge William Clouse, after Circuit Judge Jean Chenault Logue recused herself last week.

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The incident happened in August 2015 following one of Hocker’s appearances in Clark Circuit Court. When Logue continued the cases to allow for a competency hearing, Hocker became agitated and began arguing with the judge.

Once bailiffs escorted Hocker outside the courtroom, Doyle said Hocker, who was handcuffed, swung at him with both hands. One of the cuffs caught Doyle in the mouth, causing a wound which took 20 stitches to close.

Bailiffs and deputy jailers tackled Hocker to the floor as he continued to struggle. At one point, they used a Taser to bring him back under control. He was eventually led back to the jail without further incident.

He was later charged with first-degree assault.

Hocker is charged with two other unrelated assaults, one from April 2013 and another involving another prisoner at the Clark County Detention Center.

In December, Logue ruled that Hocker was competent to stand trial, following a hearing with a doctor from the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center. Hocker’s mental state has been an issue since his first arrest.

At one point, he was found not to be competent and charges were dismissed so he could be admitted for long-term care. When he was released from the hospital, the charges were reinstated.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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