(WKYT) – The trial of a man accused of killing a former state lawmaker’s daughter during a home invasion is still set to begin May 1–but the victim’s family is cautiously optimistic that date will hold.
Shannon Gilday is accused of murder in the death of Jordan Morgan. Police say he shot his way into former Ky. Rep. Wesley Morgan’s Madison County home in February 2022.
The trial will take place more than four years after the crime.
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A Madison County judge heard multiple motions during a half-hour hearing Friday morning. The judge denied a request to have the death penalty removed.
The trial will take place in Shelby County after a request to move it from Madison County, where the crime occurred.
Wesley Morgan, the victim’s father, said the encounter lasted about 15 minutes. He says the numbers have never been in his family’s favor.
“Now it’s lasted 4 years to go to trial. The trial is going to last 30 days,” Morgan said.
Morgan said Gilday waited until 3:30 a.m., when everyone was asleep.
“Then shoots my daughter 11 plus times, kills her,” Morgan said.
The judge appeared bothered when the defense attorney did not completely confirm the likelihood of starting the trial on time. The defense attorney said as of right now the trial would start on time, but added he did not want to commit in case something happens between now and the trial date.
Morgan said another delay would not surprise him.
“Now you tell me what kind of justice there is when everything we’ve done up to this point is nothing but for the killer,” Morgan said.
Morgan said his family will not accept a plea bargain and hopes Gilday will receive capital punishment.
The judge said preliminary work to select a jury in Shelby County has already begun.