SALYERSVILLE – Nearly two years since the death of Jamie Bailey, the defendant charged with his death has taken a plea deal in the case.
Jack D. Whitt, 40, of Coal Branch Road, in Salyersville, was indicted in September 2021 on one count of first-degree murder, a Class A felony, for allegedly causing the death of Jamie Bailey on March 17, 2021.
On February 16, 2023, in a preliminary hearing in court, Whitt changed his plea to guilty, signing the Commonwealth’s offer that amended the charge to manslaughter, first degree, a Class B felony, with the recommendation of 12 years in prison.
Whitt is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on March 2 at 10 a.m., at which time the judge can choose whether or not to take the Commonwealth’s recommendation or not.
Class B felonies are punishable by 10 to 20 years imprisonment.
As some background in the case, according to the original police reports from Kentucky State Police Pikeville Post 9, KSP received a call from the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Office on March 17, 2021, regarding an unresponsive male in Magoffin County.
KSP investigators responded to a residence on Coal Branch Road and discovered a male had been stabbed, with the initial investigation indicating Jamie Bailey, 41 years old, of Salyersville (formerly of Campton), had suffered a fatal stab wound while at his residence on Coal Branch Road.
Bailey was pronounced deceased at the scene by Magoffin County Coroner’s Office.
Shortly after the incident, officials confirmed to Mortimer Media Group a kitchen knife had been recovered from the residence.
Whitt is currently being held at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, where he has been since he was indicted.
Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
