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Family of toddler killed upset by plea deals

Posted at 11:44 PM, Jan 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-18 23:59:15-05

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The family of a toddler who was shot and killed is heartbroken after they tell LEX18 both men charged in connection with her death were offered plea deals.

Nova Gallman was shot in the head in December of 2016 in Lexington, and she died the next day at the hospital. She was only 2-years-old.

On Thursday, January 16, Adrian Dunn accepted a plea deal, and the next day Marquis Thurman also was offered a plea deal. He pleaded guilty first degree manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence charges, Nova's family tells us.

Both men have yet to be sentenced but Nova's grandmother, Kenya Ballard, says knowing that they will likely be released from jail at some point is heartbreaking. "We keep offering them plea deals we keep offering them lesser charges, and at some point, we have to start holding people accountable."