The murder charge against an Oak Grove woman was dismissed in Christian County Circuit Court on Wednesday after the prosecutor said a forensic audit showed she did not have an apparent motive to commit the crime.
Ann Harrison was charged with murder, first-degree criminal abuse, and several other charges in connection to the death of Anthony Gilstrap, Sr. The charges stem from an Oak Grove Police investigation that began when Gilstrap was taken to the hospital in July of 2022. He was reportedly unresponsive with signs of severe neglect, gangrene, and sepsis. He died a month later.
The police investigation said Harrison and Gilstrap’s son Jacob had put themselves as power of attorney over the man’s banking account, removed money from his account, and started a life insurance policy for him.
However, Commonwealth’s Attorney Maureen Leamy said a forensic audit of Harrison’s finances conducted by defense attorney Stephanie Ritchie-Mize confirmed Harrison had no financial motive to commit the crimes.
click to download audioLeamy also said Harrison had no obligation to care for the elder Gilstrap and that it fell on her boyfriend, Jacob Gilstrap.
click to download audioLast year, Jacob Gilstrap — who faced the same charges as Harrison — was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the death of his father after he mediated a guilty plea to amended charges instead of going to trial. His charges were amended to wanton abuse, wanton exploitation of an adult, and eight counts of animal cruelty. His murder charge was amended to reckless homicide.
