PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) — A 22-year-old Prestonsburg woman, accused of fatally shooting her father, has been released from house arrest after a grand jury failed to indict her on murder charges.
Summer Adkins was arrested in June and charged with killing her 62-year-old father, Jimmy Harvey. Investigators said Adkins admitted to the shooting, claiming it stemmed from years of alleged abuse.
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During a June 16 preliminary hearing, police testified that Adkins told them Harvey had sexually abused her as a child and was also abusing her young niece.
“She said it was because — in reference to her niece — she won’t have to grow up looking at this person, knowing what he did to her,” testified investigator Begley.
Adkins’ sister, Genna Holloway, also took the stand, alleging Harvey had physically, mentally, or sexually abused multiple family members. The defense argued that “the system failed her,” saying her past reports of abuse were ignored.
Judge Orders Release After No Indictment
Adkins was initially placed on home incarceration, but her attorneys requested release, citing insufficient evidence and no proof she posed a danger to herself or others.
The case was presented to a grand jury on June 25, which issued 15 indictments — but Adkins’ name wasn’t among them. On August 15, Judge Johnny Ray Harris ordered her release from custody and removed her bond.
However, Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner clarified that this does not close the case.
“That’s just a routine thing that happens if there hasn’t been an indictment within 60 days,” Turner explained.
Under Kentucky’s Rules of Criminal Procedure, defendants must be released if no indictment is filed within 60 days of a probable cause finding. Still, prosecutors can resubmit the case to another grand jury for consideration.
Adkins’ attorney has since filed a motion to dismiss the case, but the decision on whether she will face future charges remains pending.
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