Hisle case waived to grand jury

WINCHESTER, Ky. (WTVQ) – The case of Jackie Hisle, the man charged with manslaughter in connection to a fire at a Winchester apartment complex that left three people dead and several families displaced, will be tried by a grand jury.

At a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, all three counts of manslaughter were waived to the grand jury.

Winchester Police Sgt. Tom Beall testified saying Hisle told him he tried to put out the fire and that he was drunk when he smoked while using his oxygen machine.

Beall says Hisle was interviewed twice.  He says the first time he told police he had taken the machine off to smoke.

During a second interview, Beall says Hisle admitted to smoking with the machine on.

Hisle also told Beall he had been drinking with his son, Donald Hisle, who died as a result of the fire.  Dixie Everman and Tina Reynolds were also killed in or following the fire.

Beall’s testimony also revealed Hisle tried to put out the fire by smothering it with pillows and a blanket.

Hisle told Beall he tried to wake up and warn neighbors.  Beall said Hisle then went back into his unit, to wake up his son who had passed out, but the smoke was too strong.

The judge did not reduce Hisle’s bond, which is set at $1 million dollars.