A Monticello man appeared in court Monday and entered a guilty plea to charges stemming from a fatal incident investigated by the Kentucky State Police.
-
Joseph Fulton entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill to all charges in the indictment:
-
Count 1: Murder
-
Count 2: Arson, 1st Degree
-
Count 3: Abuse of a Corpse
-
Count 4: Tampering with Physical Evidence
-
Count 5: Burglary, 1st Degree
-
-
Commonwealth’s sentencing recommendation: The Commonwealth recommended a total sentence of 20 years to serve, structured as follows:
-
20 years each on Counts 1 and 2
-
5 years each on Counts 3 and 4
-
10 years on Count 5
-
All counts are to run concurrently (at the same time) for a total of 20 years. Additionally, the agreement notes that Counts 1 and 2 are violent offenses requiring 85% parole eligibility, and he is not eligible for probation or conditional discharge.
-
The case originated from an investigation by state police and local authorities following an incident on Old Mill Springs Road, where a Fulton’s mother was found dead inside a structure fire in November of 2024.
Sentencing will take place at a later date.