A local man who was originally charged with murder in relation to the shooting death of the son of Albany Police Chief Ernest Guffey has been indicted on a lesser charge by a Clinton County Grand Jury.

Convening in regular session last Thursday, November 3, the grand jury handed down an indictment of manslaughter against Travis Slone in relation to the case.

The grand jury alleged in the true bill that, on or about September 12, the defendant “committed the offense of manslaughter first degree, a Class B felony when…with the intent to cause serious physical injury to James D. Guffey…shot him in the chest thereby causing the death of James D. Guffey.”

Kentucky State Police Detective Kenny Brown appeared as a Commonwealth witness during the grand jury proceeding.

Slone, 28, was originally charged with murder shortly following the incident which took place at a residence on Hwy. 738 (Wolf River Dock Road) on September 12 at approximately 2 p.m. in the afternoon.

According to Kentucky State Police reports at the time, Guffey, 53, was killed following an altercation with the defendant while at that residence. Guffey was transported to The Medical Center – Albany where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities charged Slone with murder early the same evening and he was lodged in Russell County Detention Center.

Slone appeared for arraignment in Clinton District Court the following day, September 13, where judge Mike Lawson appointed public defender Brad Shuffett as legal counsel for arraignment purposes and set bond at $1 million cash only. The case was later waived to the grand jury, which returned the manslaughter indictment last week.

Also last week, the grand jury returned a second degree rape indictment against Spencer K. Wallace, a Class C felony, alleging the defendant “engaged in sexual intercourse with a minor under age 14,” on or about September 17.

John H. Brown was indicted on six total charges, including first degree wanton endangerment of a police officer in relation to an incident that occurred on or about October 28.

The wanton endangerment charge alleges the defendant, “wantonly engaged in conduct that created substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to Officer Chris Neal when he accelerated (his) vehicle in reverse causing a door to come open hitting Officer Neal’s left arm, both shins and his right knee then dragging Neal backwards on the ground where said defendant drove over the body of Officer Neal.”

The defendant was also charged with fleeing or evading police first degree and assault third degree, both Class D felonies and three counts of persistent felony offender second degree.

The grand jury also handed down the following true bills last week:

* Robert G. Hurt, the alleged offenses of receiving stolen property, over $500 but less than $10,000, Class D felony and persistent felony offender second degree. The alleged offense having occurred on or about August 18.

* Jesse W. Phillips, the alleged offense of theft by unlawful taking or disposition (two counts) over $500 but less than $10,000; burglary second degree, Class D felony and three counts of second degree persistent felony offender. The alleged offenses having occurred on or about August 18.

* Jason Guffey, criminal possession of a forged instrument second degree (36 counts), Class D felonies. The alleged offenses, involving forged checks, having occurred at various times during the month of April.

* Amanda Bertram, criminal possession of a forged instrument second degree (22 counts), Class D felonies, involving forged checks issued at various times between late August and early September.

* Matthew Wray, the alleged offenses of receiving stolen property more than $500 but less than $10,000, Class D felony and obscuring the identity of a machine or other property, Class C felony, the alleged offenses having occurred on or about August 18 and 29.

(Editor’s Note: An indictment is a statement of probable cause to believe an offense has been committed and further court proceedings are warranted. Individuals named in an indictment are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.)