Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008
Man indicted in slayings of 3 children in w. Ky.
The Associated Press CADIZ, Ky. -- A western Kentucky man was indicted Wednesday in the slayings of three children and a violent sexual assault on their mother - a case the prosecutor described as "horrific."
The Trigg County grand jury indicted Kevin W. Dunlap on three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder for the attack on the childrens' mother, said Commonwealth's Attorney G.L. Ovey.
Dunlap, of Hopkinsville, was also indicted on four counts of kidnapping, first-degree rape, burglary and evidence tampering.
State police said the woman was raped by an assailant who stabbed her three children - a 17- and 14-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy - at their home in the Roaring Spring community near the Fort Campbell Army post in southern Kentucky.
"There are aggravating circumstances many times over in this case," Ovey said Wednesday after the indictments were returned. Ovey said he has not worked a case "any more horrific than this one."
Dunlap's attorney, James Gibson, did not return a call Wednesday seeking comment.
Ovey said Dunlap will be arraigned on the indictments likely next month. Dunlap, 36, remains in the Christian County Jail.
A state police detective testified at a hearing last month that the mother was approached by a man carrying a black handgun while she was doing yard work at her home.
The Associated Press has previously identified the mother, but is no longer naming her because authorities now say she was sexually assaulted. The AP generally does not identify victims of sexual assault.
State police Detective Jerry Jones said the mother was raped before her three children came home. The children were bound with white zip ties and gagged. Jones said they all had stab and slash wounds, and the home was set on fire.
http://www.kentucky.com/471/story/589611.html