Double-murder suspect Anthony Gaines appeared in Christian Circuit Court on Wednesday where the prosecution and the defense agreed on a deadline for sharing discovery ahead of mediation.
Gaines was arrested in connection to the shooting deaths of Kierra Wallace and George Gomez near Peach Street in 2021. He is charged with two-counts murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, tampering with physical evidence and four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment.
Gaines is represented by Brandi Jones and Michael Colman while Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Greg Cortese and Mark Gilbert are prosecuting the case.
Circuit Judge Andrew Self signed off on a motion by the defense to have retired Barren County Circuit Judge Phillip Patton host a mediation for the case on March 28.
Before mediation, Jones says she and Gaines are concerned about evidence that they have not received. Gaines filed a motion to receive confirmation from the commonwealth regarding what evidence exists and will be used in the case.
The motion is a part of ongoing disputes regarding discovery. During past pretrial conferences Jones has claimed that the commonwealth has not provided all of the necessary evidence while Cortese and Gilbert have claimed otherwise.
Some of the disputed discovery includes evidence from the Hopkinsville Police Department. Cortese says he recently talked to a department detective who shared that the only evidence the department has is 911 call logs which has already been provided to the defense.
Self approved a motion for both the defense and prosecution to turn over all of their discovery by February 28. If either side does not turn over pieces of evidence by the deadline, then it can’t be used in trial.
Gaines will reappear in court for another pretrial conference on February 19. If the case is not resolved then it will go to trial on July 14, 2025.