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Anthony Cloud

Staff Writer

The cross-examination of Jeremiah (Jeremy) Evans continued on Wednesday. Defense attorney Brent Flowers, one of Brian Hatfield’s attorneys, introduced a letter Evans wrote to Hatfield into evidence. The letter was written within the last week, according to Evans’ testimony.

“I love you like my own brother,” said Evans as he read the letter he wrote to Hatfield. “You know all of this is a big (explicative) up. I didn’t see anything, Brian. I don’t hardly even remember nothing about that time except I went to prison.”

“The only reason I took that Class D felony is (because) I already got the time in,” said Evans in the letter about the guilty plea.

Flowers pointed out that Evans was talking to and about the same person who allegedly threatened to burn everything he loved. Flowers also pointed out Evans lied to the police because he said he was trying to protect his family from Hatfield.

“Now if you would agree with me, it seems like you’re pretty good friends,” said Flowers about Hatfield and Evans friendship. “In fact, he is the brother you never even had.”

Commonwealth Attorney Karen Greene Blondell also addressed the letter during re-direct.

During re-direct, Evans testified he did not see what occurred inside the house. He testified that he didn’t know who did what inside the house. In earlier testimony, Evans said he dropped the defendants off at William Taylor’s driveway the night of the alleged assault.

Sam Cox, Candy Maiden’s attorney, questioned Evans about several statements he made to different people close to the time of the alleged assault. Evans testified he lied to his mother and grandmother during phone calls made while in prison.

At times during each phone call, Evans claimed he had nothing to do with the assault. During some calls, Evans swore on his children’s lives that he had nothing to do with the assault, which he later admitted was a lie.

During re-direct, Evans testified he was not under oath when he made the phone calls to his family or when he made the statements to the police. He also testified he knew the phone calls were recorded and people could have the chance to listen to them.

Testimony Evans gave during his indictment hearing was also questioned by Cox. During the indictment hearing, Evans testified he did not ask for help from Kentucky State Police Det. Tyson Lawson in exchange for his testimony. During his testimony on Wednesday, Evans said he did ask Lawson to promise that he would get out of it.

Cox pointed out Evans allegedly lied to the grand jury under oath. Evans would later state he forgot he asked for assistance during the indictment hearing.

The trial will continue today.

It is alleged Taylor was brutally beaten during the robbery at his home in the early morning hours of Jan. 15, 2008.

After the robbers fled, Taylor walked more than 100 yards to the nearest neighbor’s house for help.

Taylor was sent to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he was initially admitted to Intensive Care. Taylor’s condition was briefly upgraded to stable before being downgraded. He died approximately one week after the attack.

Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-248-1010, ext.208, acloud@civitasmedia.com