Former Henderson County Sheriff Found Guilty of Attempted Voluntary Manslaughter
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JACKSON, Tenn- Ricky Lunsford, the former Henderson County Sheriff accused of trying to kill his estranged wife, was found guilty of attempted voluntary manslaughter on Monday. “I certainly wanted a different verdict,” Mark Donahoe, Lunsford’s attorney said after the trial. “But I’m pleased he was found not guilty on two of the four charges.” Lunsford was also found guilty use of a firearm to commit a felony. He was not found guilty of aggravated kidnapping nor aggravated assault. 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. “We are glad that the jury didn’t convict him on attempted first degree murder,” Donahoe said. “Instead we have the attempted voluntary manslaughter conviction.” Last 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. “I think Rick is just pleased that the jury knew that he didn’t try to kill her,” Donahoe said. Although no one was hurt, prosecutors said his actions were premeditated; but Ricky Lunsford’s attorney said his client acted in self-defense. A sentence hearing for Lunford is scheduled for February 18, 2013.
