Murder case dismissal appeal for a hit and run in 2023

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Attorney General’s Office has filed a motion to reverse a judge’s decision to dismiss a high-profile murder case. The case involves Cornell Thomas II, who was charged with wanton murder and leaving the scene of an accident after allegedly running a red light at over 90 miles per hour and fatally hitting Tammy Botkin.

In December 2023, Judge Julie Goodman dismissed the charges against Thomas, citing that he was in a state of psychosis during the incident. The defense had filed a motion to dismiss the case based on this argument, which the judge accepted.

The dismissal sparked a strong reaction from the prosecution. Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird criticized Judge Goodman’s decision, stating, “She’s hung up on the fact that there was not alcohol or drugs found in the defendant’s system. You can get wanton murder by driving 96 miles an hour, getting in a turn lane, driving through lanes of traffic, and hitting someone.”

ABC36 News Now spoke with Judge Goodman after this story first aired. She declined an interview with us.

The Attorney General’s Office is now appealing Judge Goodman’s ruling, seeking to bring the case before a grand jury for what they would be a fair and unbiased trial.