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Abner may face death penalty
Somerset — Prosecutors have given notice they intend to seek the death penalty against a Pulaski County man who reportedly confessed to killing three people.
Michael Andrew Abner, 46, of Bullock Lane, Eubank, appeared before Pulaski Circuit Judge Jeffrey Burdette Thursday, and it was during that hearing when Commonwealth’s Attorney Eddy F. Montgomery stated he would file a written notice to seek the death penalty against Abner.
Abner allegedly confessed to killing two elderly women in their homes more than 20 years ago after he was arrested in January for the killing of Jack Roerink, 79.
Abner is facing murder, theft and arson charges in connection with Roerink’s slaying, along with the killings of Mae Frisbee Stringer and Mamie B. Mercer.
Abner was indicted on those charges earlier this month by a Pulaski County grand jury.
Abner’s alleged confession to killing Stringer and Mercer came to light earlier this year, after Abner’s Tuesday, Jan. 12 arrest for the murder of Roerink.
Authorities discovered Roerink’s body in his home in Eubank and Abner, who reportedly knew Roerink, was found a short while later after officers traced Roerink’s missing truck to Abner’s ex-wife’s home. Investigators said Abner stabbed Roerink multiple times with a kitchen knife during the incident before taking several items and fleeing with some of Roerink’s property, including his truck.
Abner is facing one charge of murder, one charge of first-degree robbery and one charge of first-degree burglary in connection with Roerink’s death.
It was soon after that arrest that Abner allegedly told authorities he’d killed two other people more than 20 years ago.
Mercer’s body was discovered in her South Hart Road home in the Saline community on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 1983 in her bed, a victim of strangulation, and Abner was questioned during an investigation by Kentucky State Police. He was never arrested, and the case remained open and unsolved throughout the years until Abner’s arrest this year.
Mercer was 80 years old at the time of her death, and Abner was 20 years old at the time of the incident.
Abner faces one count of murder and one count of first-degree robbery in connection with Mercer’s death.
Abner allegedly killed again only five years after he reportedly strangled Mercer to death in her home.
Stringer’s family and investigators believed she had perished in a house fire on Dec. 2, 1988, but investigators said Abner stated he strangled the 83-year-old woman to death in her home on Ringgold Road before setting the house on fire.
Stringer was 83 years old at the time of her death, and Abner was 25 years old.
Abner faces one count of murder, one count of first-degree robbery, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of first-degree arson in connection with Stringer’s death.
Abner was slated to be arraigned in court Thursday, but his attorney, Jim Cox, asked that the arraignment be postponed to determine whether Abner is competent to stand trial. Burdette set the arraignment for April 15.
Montgomery also stated he would file a motion to combine the Roerink, Mercer and Stringer cases into one trial.
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LCADTF could lose big bucks
Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force officials estimate that the City of Somerset’s lack of involvement in the task force could lead to a loss of some $250,000 in federal funding per year — a chunk which could easily force the task force to close its doors.
David Keller, deputy director of Appalachia HIDTA, a major funding source for the local drug task force and the reason why federal and state law enforcement officers are able to be a part of the agency, says the agency’s current situation is more serious than many people realize.
Keller says HIDTA has made a “huge investment” in the LCADTF, but that folks shouldn’t get too comfortable with the agency’s ability to obtain grant money at the federal or state level.
“This is not entitlement money. ... Our grant is performance driven, and it’s sought after by competitive forces,” Keller said. “If this agency doesn’t produce, they stand a risk of not having the task force funded. That money will go someplace else — to another county that would love to have it.” -
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Less than a decade ago, Pleasant Hill was a pastoral community. Modern homes were tucked among shaded lawns. Cattle grazed peacefully at day and fireflies blinked in darkness. The area was served by a friendly little road called Clifty.
Things have changed and are changing. In a relatively few days, huge electric bulbs will glow, turning night forever into day. Horseless carriages will trek in places where tailpipes have belched never before. -
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