Trial Begins For Former Henderson County Sheriff
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JACKSON, Tenn- The trial for Ricky Lunsford, the former Henderson County Sheriff accused of trying to kill his estranged wife, began on Wednesday. Lunsford pleaded not guilty to all four charges, including attempted first degree murder, related to the April 2012 incident where prosecutors said he fired close to a dozen shots at his estranged wife, Mary Lunsford, outside of Tap Bar and Grill in Jackson. In addition to the attempted first degree murder charge, Lunsford is also being charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, and use of a firearm to commit a felony. On Wednesday, the state called several witnesses to support charges, saying Lunsford walked into the bar, held Mary at gunpoint making her go outside with him, where he later fired shots at her. Although no one was hurt, prosecutors said his actions were premeditate; but Ricky Lunsford’s attorney said his client acted in self-defense. “Mary Lunsford also has a permit to carry a gun and she had one in her holster on her leg,” Mark Donahoe, Ricky Lunsford’s attorney said. “And she went for her weapon. The trial is expected to last at least seven days.
