Assault case headed to grand jury

Published 11:46 am Thursday, September 27, 2018

A Clark County man charged with shooting another in the foot sent his case to the grand jury Wednesday.

Ernesto Muniz-Batiz, 34, of 48 Jackson St. Apt. 2, was arrested for first-degree assault Sept. 11 after officers followed a blood trail back to his apartment.

Winchester Police officers were called to Washington and Jackson streets at 1:31 a.m. following the shooting. The victim, 47-year-old Pablo Hernandez, was transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment, police said.

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According to court records, officers located Batiz in his apartment in bed with the handgun used in the incident.

Winchester Police Capt. James Hall said the two men got into an argument. The cause had not been verified, but alcohol was involved, Hall said.

Batiz also corroborated Hernandez’s story to detectives, Hall said.

Wednesday in Clark District Court, Batiz was scheduled for a preliminary hearing, which would determine whether there was enough probable cause to support the charge. Batiz, through his attorney, waived the case to the grand jury.

Clark District Judge Earl-Ray Neal also amended Batiz’s bond from $100,000 cash to 10 percent of  $20,000.

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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