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Comment by rosebud5: Wednesday, September 8

This sick redneck mentality of persons who think the correct way to treat an animal is to drag it to...read more...

Reward offered in dog abuse case

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That's pretty much what I wanted to say to Ironman, but I was afraid they wouldn't print it...new at...read more...

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Using our tax dollars to run ads on T.V. To promote WInchester!! Making A point that ads will run du...read more...

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A Winchester man agreed to a 360-day sentence and to seek treatment for mental health issues Wednesday, after pleading guilty to setting his bed on fire in March.

Charges against 46-year-old Jeffery Hatton were amended from felony arson to misdemeanor criminal mischief as part of the plea agreement. Hatton will receive credit for time he’s already served, and the balance of his 360 days will be conditionally discharged after he is admitted to an in-patient treatment facility, Clark County Attorney Brian Thomas said.

Hatton was evaluated at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center earlier this year. The report, Thomas said, indicated there were issues with his competency.

“Hopefully this will get him the help he needs, so he can move forward,” Thomas said.

In court Wednesday, Hatton told Clark District Judge Earl-Ray Neal that he wanted to go to the hospital and that he was off his medication at the time of the March 27 fire at his apartment at 109 Springmist Lane.

After meeting with Thomas and Hatton’s attorney Lauren Clark in his chambers, Neal said he was “satisfied it’s a fair and just resolution” to the case.

Winchester police officers were called to the complex after receiving complaints that Hatton was beating on neighbors’ doors and screaming. When officers arrived, Hatton said he would calm down if they gave him a cigarette. After receiving the cigarette, Hatton told police he was going to bed.

Officers had already been called to Hatton’s apartment earlier in the day when he was causing a disturbance.

After 15 minutes, Hatton emerged from his apartment and was arrested for disorderly conduct. Officers entered the building and saw Hatton’s burning mattress through an open door.

Contact Fred Petke at fpetke@winchestersun.com.

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