Trial date set, bond reduction denied in Pembroke murder case

A trial date has been set in the murder case against Eiesha Whitlock, and a motion for a bond reduction was denied in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday morning.

Whitlock is charged in the death of 29-year-old Daquan Butler of Hopkinsville, and she’s accused of hitting him with a vehicle she was driving at the Willows Apartment Complex in Pembroke. A report states she allegedly engaged in wanton behavior that caused her to strike Butler. She had originally been charged with second-degree manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident with failure to render aid.

She is now facing a charge of murder, after Butler died of his injuries, and her trial is set to begin on September 21.

Whitlock is represented by defense attorney James Mills, who requested that her bond be reduced from $25,000, back to the $10,000 it was before the superseding indictment.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Maureen Leamy called the $25,000 more than appropriate, saying her alleged actions led to a man’s death.

Judge John Atkins denied the motion for bond reduction for now, urging both parties to see if a resolution can be reached in this case outside of trial.

When she was taken into custody, Whitlock reportedly told deputies she hit Butler with the car and realized he had become trapped underneath, before backing the vehicle up and hitting him again. That’s when she fled the scene, reportedly saying she was scared.

A final pretrial conference was set for September 2.