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Murder suspect released on bond
By Don Perryman, Messenger Lead Reporter dperryman@the-messenger.com
An Earlington man indicted for the murder of an 18-year-old Madisonville woman was released from Hopkins County Jail Friday after posting $20,000 bond.
John W. Hamilton, 33, is charged with the murder of Julia Wooten. Authorities say Wooten was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by Hamilton in the early morning hours of Sept. 6.
Earlington Mayor Mike Seiber posted the $20,000 cash bond.
In an e-mail response to a query from The Messenger, Seiber said that Hamilton is a friend.
"Mr. Hamilton is a lifelong friend of mine and always will be," Seiber wrote. "He is a very good person, what happen(ed) that night was a tragic accident. I lost my brother to a car accident a few years ago I know the pain the Wooten family must feel. Mr. Hamilton will have a day in court and will accept all responsibility for his actions. This is a private matter for one of my closest friends and I hope you can respect that."
Hamilton is also charged with wanton endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence with aggravating circumstances.
According to Sheriff's Deputy Matt Sanderson, who investigated the accident, Wooten was killed while crossing West Main Street in Earlington.
Sanderson said that Wooten, Hamilton and Jamel Woods, 33, of Earlington, who was a passenger in Hamilton's car, attended a party at which alcohol had been served at Loch Mary Center that night.
Wooten died at the scene from multiple blunt force trauma, according to county coroner Dennis Mayfield.
A second woman, Stephanie Baxter, was almost struck by the vehicle, Sanderson said.
Hamilton and Woods ran from the scene following the accident, Sanderson said. The men went to Hamilton's mother's house, who talked them into returning to Main Street.
Woods and Hamilton were charged with leaving the scene of an accident and Woods was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, second offense, the night of the accident.
After further investigation, Hamilton was charged with murder on Sept. 10. He was indicted on Oct. 20. Woods was indicted on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident. The grand jury returned a no true bill on Woods' wanton endangerment charge.
Two people, Brandon Perkins, 25, and Megan R. Shadrick, 21, were charged with two counts of third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor. Authorities say the pair served alcohol to minors at the Loch Mary Center party.
John W. Hamilton, 33, is charged with the murder of Julia Wooten. Authorities say Wooten was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by Hamilton in the early morning hours of Sept. 6.
Earlington Mayor Mike Seiber posted the $20,000 cash bond.
In an e-mail response to a query from The Messenger, Seiber said that Hamilton is a friend.
"Mr. Hamilton is a lifelong friend of mine and always will be," Seiber wrote. "He is a very good person, what happen(ed) that night was a tragic accident. I lost my brother to a car accident a few years ago I know the pain the Wooten family must feel. Mr. Hamilton will have a day in court and will accept all responsibility for his actions. This is a private matter for one of my closest friends and I hope you can respect that."
Hamilton is also charged with wanton endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence with aggravating circumstances.
According to Sheriff's Deputy Matt Sanderson, who investigated the accident, Wooten was killed while crossing West Main Street in Earlington.
Sanderson said that Wooten, Hamilton and Jamel Woods, 33, of Earlington, who was a passenger in Hamilton's car, attended a party at which alcohol had been served at Loch Mary Center that night.
Wooten died at the scene from multiple blunt force trauma, according to county coroner Dennis Mayfield.
A second woman, Stephanie Baxter, was almost struck by the vehicle, Sanderson said.
Hamilton and Woods ran from the scene following the accident, Sanderson said. The men went to Hamilton's mother's house, who talked them into returning to Main Street.
Woods and Hamilton were charged with leaving the scene of an accident and Woods was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, second offense, the night of the accident.
After further investigation, Hamilton was charged with murder on Sept. 10. He was indicted on Oct. 20. Woods was indicted on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident. The grand jury returned a no true bill on Woods' wanton endangerment charge.
Two people, Brandon Perkins, 25, and Megan R. Shadrick, 21, were charged with two counts of third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor. Authorities say the pair served alcohol to minors at the Loch Mary Center party.
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