LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – The mother of a Lexington murder victim says her family was robbed of their chance for justice in court this week.
Now instead of going to trial, the man charged with killing Kieara Green in 2014 will face a five year sentence due to a plea deal.
Four years after her daughter’s murder, Dinah Walker relies on her faith and forgiveness, but this week, she says both were tested in a Fayette County courtroom.
"I was blindsided. I was so baffled. I was beyond myself,” said Walker.
Walker’s daughter, Kieara Green, was killed in 2014, when police say a group barged into a home on Scottsdale Circle and opened fire. More than a year later, officers arrested Allen Burgess and next week, he was supposed to go to trial.
On Thursday Walker says she was shocked when prosecutors explained Burgess would enter an Alford Plea to lesser charges.
"She said, basically, we have the proof but we don’t have the witnesses. The witnesses are not willing to cooperate. I said I’m not concerned about that. I said I want to go to trial,” said Walker.
Walker says she got no warning about this deal.
While she’d talked about pleas with stiffer sentences, she says she never wanted to make a deal in the first place.
"I want a trial for my daughter and I think I deserve to have a trial for my daughter,” said Walker.
Walker says she has forgiven Burgess though and expressed that to him in the courtroom.
"I asked him to seek Jesus. Use this time that you’re going to be in jail to seek Jesus. So he can change you so you can be a changed person when you get out,” said Walker.
With the plea, Burgess’ recommended sentence is five years.
