STANFORD - The Danville woman who had been accused of organizing a plot to kill the octogenarian mother of her former lover has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge that carries a potential eight-year sentence.
Jessica Callahan, 27, was indicted for attempted murder in August for conspiring with three Ohio women to murder Hustonville resident Minnie Goode.
On Friday, Callahan took a plea bargain and pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-degree burglary, which is a Class C felony.
Callahan's attorney Justin Genco said he is satisfied with the outcome of his client's case.
"I think that the plea was consistent with the evidence," he said. "It was a fair resolution to the case."
According to initial reports from investigators, Callahan allegedly plotted with Autumn Drass, 23, Taquisa Horton, 27, and Kerry Zamara, 23, all of Columbus, Ohio, to break into Goode's home and kill her.
After a neighbor of Goode became suspicious and alerted Hustonville Police Chief Fred McCoy that something may be happening at Goode's house on July 3, McCoy said he encountered Drass and Horton armed with knives inside the residence.
After a scuffle, McCoy was able to place Drass and Horton under arrest.
Minnie Goode was not home during the break-in.
All four women were charged with attempted murder. Drass and Horton were also charged with first-degree burglary and Zamara and Callahan were charged with complicity in the burglary.
During his investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff Curt Folger said evidence suggested the alleged murder plot was motivated by revenge against Debra Goode, the daughter of Minnie Goode and a former lover of Callahan's who was helping a current lover of Callahan's escape an abusive relationship.
Folger said Tuesday he knew a plea deal for Callahan was in the works but was surprised "to a certain extent" about the amended charge.
"We see a lot of charges reduced in plea deals," he said.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Carol Hill could not be reached for comment on the plea bargain before press deadline.
Check www.theinteriorjournal.com for updates on this story.
Jessica Callahan, 27, was indicted for attempted murder in August for conspiring with three Ohio women to murder Hustonville resident Minnie Goode.
On Friday, Callahan took a plea bargain and pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-degree burglary, which is a Class C felony.
Callahan's attorney Justin Genco said he is satisfied with the outcome of his client's case.
"I think that the plea was consistent with the evidence," he said. "It was a fair resolution to the case."
According to initial reports from investigators, Callahan allegedly plotted with Autumn Drass, 23, Taquisa Horton, 27, and Kerry Zamara, 23, all of Columbus, Ohio, to break into Goode's home and kill her.
After a neighbor of Goode became suspicious and alerted Hustonville Police Chief Fred McCoy that something may be happening at Goode's house on July 3, McCoy said he encountered Drass and Horton armed with knives inside the residence.
After a scuffle, McCoy was able to place Drass and Horton under arrest.
Minnie Goode was not home during the break-in.
All four women were charged with attempted murder. Drass and Horton were also charged with first-degree burglary and Zamara and Callahan were charged with complicity in the burglary.
During his investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff Curt Folger said evidence suggested the alleged murder plot was motivated by revenge against Debra Goode, the daughter of Minnie Goode and a former lover of Callahan's who was helping a current lover of Callahan's escape an abusive relationship.
Folger said Tuesday he knew a plea deal for Callahan was in the works but was surprised "to a certain extent" about the amended charge.
"We see a lot of charges reduced in plea deals," he said.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Carol Hill could not be reached for comment on the plea bargain before press deadline.
Check www.theinteriorjournal.com for updates on this story.
