Man gets 20 years for wild chase, escape

Judge Paul Braden will likely sentence a Salyersville man to 20 years in prison next month for leading Corbin police on a high speed chase last year that resulted in one officer being injured and then engaging in an armed standoff with police.
Douglas Shepherd, 45, of Salyersville, pleaded guilty Tuesday to all charges related to the Sept. 19 chase, and to escaping from a deputy jailer in the Corbin district courtroom days later.
In exchange for the guilty plea, Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Trimble recommended a 19-year prison sentence on the chase-related charges and a one-year prison sentence on the escape charge to be served consecutively for a 20-year sentence.
Braden scheduled formal sentencing for Feb. 12.
Shepherd will be eligible for parole after serving 20 percent of his sentence.
Trimble said he was pleased with the resolution to the case.
If Shepherd had been sentenced to anything over 20 years, his parole eligibility would still only be based on a maximum of 20 years in prison, which is the limit, Trimble noted.
On Nov. 13, the grand jury charged Shepherd with first-degree fleeing or evading police, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, first-degree wanton endangerment, and three counts of receiving stolen property in connection with the chase.
Shepherd allegedly led Corbin police on a chase in a stolen car near the Corbin Spillway that resulted in Officer Bill Rose being injured during a crash.
Shepherd allegedly rammed another police cruiser during the chase, and held a loaded .38 caliber pistol to his head as he engaged in a standoff with police.
According to his indictment, the gun was also stolen.
In a separate indictment, the grand jury charged Shepherd with second-degree escape in connection with a Sept. 26 incident.
Shepherd escaped from custody shortly before a scheduled appearance in Whitley District Court in Corbin over the standoff case.
Authorities say Shepherd slipped out of his handcuffs and ran behind Corbin City Hall sparking a massive manhunt involving tracking dogs, and a helicopter.
Shepherd was caught the following day by a homeowner, who saw Shepherd on his property and detained him until police arrived.
Jail officials weren’t taking any chances with Shepherd escaping again during his court appearance Tuesday morning as they kept Shepherd in handcuffs that were attached to a chain around his waist.