Judge to decide venue change in Shannon Gilday murder case by end of week
RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A judge is expected to decide by the end of the week whether the murder trial of Shannon Gilday will be moved out of Madison County.
Gilday appeared in court for a status hearing Tuesday afternoon, where Judge Cole Adams Maier said she would issue a ruling later this week on the defense’s request for a change of venue. No immediate decision was made during the hearing.
During the proceedings, both prosecutors and defense attorneys indicated they would be agreeable to moving the trial to Shelby County if the judge grants the request. If approved, Shelby County would be the most likely new venue. Judge Adams Maier said her ruling would be released by Friday.
The death penalty remains on the table in the case.
Gilday is accused of killing Jordan Morgan during a 2022 home invasion in Richmond. Morgan was the daughter of former state lawmaker Wesley Morgan.
Defense attorneys have argued the case has received extensive media coverage in Madison County, which they say could make it difficult to seat an impartial jury. Prosecutors have not objected to a possible venue change.
A case management conference is scheduled for March 20. Trial is currently set to begin May 1, pending the judge’s decision on whether the case will be moved.
