By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Thomas Joseph Orlando had his murder case forwarded to a Barren County grand jury during his Sept. 15 district court appearance.
The 39-year-old Glasgow man was arrested by the Kentucky State Police on Sept. 4 after the Barren County Sheriff’s Office requested its assistance when 35-year-old Brittney Harper was found dead in a Park City residence from “an apparent gunshot wound.” Trooper Jonathan Carlock, who is the lead investigator for the state police, testified before District Judge Gabe Pendleton and Commonwealth’s Attorney John Gardner on Monday.
Orlando is charged with murder and two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment because two juveniles were in the residence at the time he “discharged the firearm,” Carlock said. One juvenile called 911 and identified Orlando as the shooter.
“[The juvenile] made statements to officers on the scene that her mom had been shot by T.J.,” Carlock said.
Orlando left the residence prior to the officers’ arrival, Carlock said. He was later found and arrested at the Union No. 2 Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Eighty Eight with a shotgun on the roof of his vehicle. Carlock said they had confirmed via autopsy that the weapon was “consistent” with the injuries sustained by Harper.
“He had made a phone call with his former mother-in-law that he was at that location,” Carlock said. “He mentioned he had a gun and was going to kill himself. He also [said] he had killed Brittney.”
Carlock said the former mother-in-law was at the cemetery when he arrived. He added there were two others at the cemetery — one being the husband of the mother-in-law and the other being a friend of Orlando.
“Based on the testimony, this court finds probable cause to send this case to the grand jury,” Pendleton said.
Orlando will not have another court appearance until the grand jury decides whether to issue an indictment.
