A Mercer County judge on Wednesday postponed a decision on a motion to reduce the bond of a man accused in a fatal Fourth of July boating crash on Herrington Lake that caused one death and multiple injuries.
Lawyers representing 27-year-old Cody Casey petitioned the court to permit his release upon payment of 10% of his $1 million cash bond while he awaits trial. The defense further requested that Casey be placed under house arrest with GPS monitoring.
Following testimony presented during Wednesday’s hearing, the judge announced that a ruling on the request would be issued on November 4.
Casey has entered a plea of not guilty to 19 charges, including manslaughter, arising from the July 4 collision that took the life of 25-year-old Nazar Svintolzelskiy.
During the proceedings, investigators from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife provided testimony regarding Casey’s conduct in the aftermath of the crash. Lt. Christon Cornett informed the court that officers had instructed the individuals involved that they could retrieve the boat from the water at the ramp but were not permitted to depart from the site.
“They were just told they could pull their boat out of the water right there at the ramp. They was not told they could go anywhere after that,” Cornett testified.
Cornett further testified that investigators believe Casey departed while officers were working to establish who had been operating the boat during the crash.
An investigator with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife additionally testified that Casey did not comply with directives to remain at the scene following the incident.
The collision took place on Herrington Lake during Fourth of July festivities. Prosecutors have maintained that the gravity of the charges and the circumstances of the investigation justify keeping the bond at its current level.
Casey remains in custody at the Mercer County Detention Center pending the judge’s ruling on his bond reduction request and subsequent court proceedings.
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