A Williamsburg man who had previously admitted to beating another man in the head, is now facing a murder charge after the victim died as a result of the wounds he sustained.
Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell said the charge against Samuel Plotnick, 35, was amended after deputies learned that the victim, James, Peace, 55, died about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday at the University of Kentucky Medical Center from wounds to the head and internal organs.
According to sheriff’s deputies, the fight between the two men occurred on Dec. 15 at a residence on Corinth Cemetery Road. Deputies and Corbin Police both responded, finding Peace and Plotnick standing on the front porch of Peace’s home.
“We don’t know what they were fighting over,” Harrell said. “Nobody else seems to know either.”
Harrell said the two men were acquaintances but exactly how they knew each other is unknown as well.
Deputy Sgt. Ken Shepherd stated that Peace had injuries to his face and Plotnick’s girlfriend, Theresa Burnette, 39, also had visible injuries.
“The extent of his injuries were not obvious,” Harrell said of Peace. “He was taken to the hospital and released, but a couple day later he began having more pain and started to discolor.”
Law enforcement officers had to pry Plotnick’s off of a post where he had wrapped his arms and then wrestle with him before securing him in handcuffs.
During the scuffle, Plotnick reportedly kicked three of the officers and spit in once of the officer’s faces, twice.
Plotnick has been held in the Whitley County Detention Center since his arrest.
In addition to the amended charge of murder, he is charged with: second-degree assault, third-degree assault on a police officer, fourth-degree assault – domestic violence, resisting arrest, second-degree disorderly conduct, menacing and public intoxication – controlled substance.
He is being held on a $100,000 cash bond.
The case did not go before the Whitley County Grand Jury in December. The grand jury is scheduled to return indictments again on Jan. 14.
