GRAYSON — The trial of two former Carter County group home employees accused in the death of a resident will take place in March.
The manslaughter trial of Matthew Bortles and Brandon Starotska is scheduled to begin March 10 in Carter Circuit Court, said Shelley Johnson, a spokeswoman for the office of Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, which is prosecuting the case.
Bortles, 22, of Soldier, and Starotska, 22, of Olive Hill, both are charged with second-degree manslaughter in the Oct. 14, 2007, death of 25-year-old Michael Price, a resident of the Community Presence Inc. group home in Grayson.
Authorities allege that Bortles and Starotska wantonly caused the death of Price, who had cerebral palsy, by restraining him in a manner that caused him to stop breathing. The two also are charged with evidence-tampering for allegedly moving Price’s body, and with abuse or neglect of an adult by a caretaker.
Second-degree manslaughter and abuse or neglect by a caretaker both are Class C felonies that carry prison sentences of five to 10 years. Evidence-tampering is a Class D felony that carries a one- to five-year sentence.
Bortles and Starotska were arrested following a joint investigation by the Grayson Police Department and the state. Grayson Police Sgt. Travis Steele, the lead investigator in the case, told state officials that statements made by two CPI direct care staff members indicated Price, who had lived in Community Presence homes for seven years, died while in a prone restraint, which state law prohibits.
In December 2007, the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services revoked CPI’s Medicaid certification because of allegations that staff members used illegal restraint techniques. State officials also accused the group home of diminishing those incidents in written reports and falsifying medical administration reports and records.
In addition to Price and Starotska, nine other former CPI defendants have been charged in what the attorney general’s office termed “a dangerous pattern of abuse” at the facility.
Johnson, the attorney general’s spokeswoman, said trial dates for the other nine defendants — Earl Pelfrey, Glada Miller, Regina Stevens, Todd Gribbin, Ira Griffith, Karl King, Matthew Wilburn, Michael Yates and Robert Thompson — had not yet been set.
Griffith is the son of former Community Presence owner Ted Griffith,
All nine of the other defendants were charged as a result of the investigation that followed Price’s death. However, the charges against the nine all stemmed from different incidents, state officials said.
KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.
Local News
Date set for group home death trial
- Local News
-
-
Business touts better living
Yvette Pennington is a true believer in the power of living better as we live longer.
-
Police beat: 2/9/12
The following information was taken from Ashland Police Department reports:
-
Safe Harbor benefits from Shop and Share Day
Shop and Share Day brought a record number of donations to Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky.
-
Local briefs: 2/9/12
For the fifth year in a row, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has given the Southern Ohio Medical Center Cancer Center funding to support the Hands of Hope grant program.
-
Judge's ruling paralyzes General Assembly
Confusion reigns in the wake a judge’s ruling that state redistricting maps passed by the General Assembly are unconstitutional. That ruling says until the legislature offers a plan which meets constitutional muster, 2012 candidates for the legislature must run in the districts drawn 10 years ago.
-
10 most romantic hotels in the U.S.
Valentine’s Day will be here soon, and a romantic getaway may be just what the heart needs. TripAdvisor has released its list of the 10 most romantic hotels in the country, based on travelers’ reviews about the beautiful scenery, friendly staffs and romantic amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces.
-
Search for new ACTC president to begin soon
A national search will begin soon to replace Ashland Community and Technical College President Gregory D. Adkins, who is retiring.
-
Red Tails recommended
With sincere appreciation to their hosts, local military veterans whose service spanned World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan gathered at Kyova 10 Theatre late Tuesday afternoon for a screening of the film “Red Tails.”
-
More updates coming to Boyd jail
While a nonfunctional fire alarm system has been fixed, the Boyd County Detention Center is now dealing with problems in another of its security systems.
-
APD probes early morning stabbing
Ashland police are investigating a stabbing in the area of 30th Street and Greenup Avenue early Tuesday morning.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Business touts better living
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
