Mrs. Craven said in court documents that she has no money of her own to pay a lawyer. Just because her family put up cash to hire an attor ney, Mrs. Craven said, doesn't mean she does not qualify for the indigent status necessary for a public defender to take the case. All the marital property shared by her and her late husband is frozen by court order while the estate moves through probate court. But Kenton Circuit Judge Steve Jaeger ruled against the request at a hearing today. Police say Mrs. Craven wanted her husband dead so she could pursue an affair with McIntire.
Public defenders represent both men.
The murder charges for all 3 suspects are pending before a Kenton County grand jury. However, Commonwealth Attorney Don Buring has not determined whether he will seek the ultimate punishment. Kenton District Judge Frank Trusty appointed a public defender for Mrs. Craven at the accused woman's 1st appearance in court on July 23. But shortly afterward, Ms. Dennison said Mrs. Craven's family hired her to represent Mrs. Craven. Michael Williams, the public defender, first sought to remain in the case, saying Ms. Dennison had been hired by independent sources with money not belonging to Mrs. Craven.