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Man who ran over 12-year-old takes back guilty pleas
Posted On 04 Aug 2010
Arguing that Michael Wayne Petrey did not have an attorney when he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident where he allegedly hit 12-year-old Meghan Roehrich with his car and then fled the scene, attorney Jim Wren asked that his client be allowed to withdraw the guilty plea.
Petrey, who is charged with second-degree assault, leaving the scene of an accident, driving with no insurance and driving with no license, was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday to determine whether a grand jury should hear the case against him and to be sentenced on the misdemeanor charges to which he pleaded guilty at his arraignment on July 27.
After listening to Wren’s argument, District Court Judge Kathy Prewitt permitted Petrey to withdraw the guilty plea. Wren then agreed to waive the case to the grand jury, which will next meet on Sept. 7 and return indictments on Sept. 13.
Wren asked Prewitt to consider amending Petrey’s bond, which was set at $50,000 cash when he was arrested July 26.
Wren told the court that the only thing holding Petrey in jail was the current case, but it is impossible for him to post the $50,000 in cash. Wren added that without an amended bond, preferably to some type of surety bond, Petrey is likely to remain in the Whitley County Detention Center until the grand jury returns indictments in September.
"The bond will remain the same," Prewitt responded.
According to Corbin Police, Petrey was traveling north on U.S. 25W just south of Interstate 75 when he hit Roehrich as she tried to cross the highway to visit her grandmother.
After hitting Roehrich, police said Petrey fled the scene. A tow truck driver followed Petrey to a home on South Kentucky Ave. and called police.
Corbin Police Col. Bruce Rains, who had been listening on his police radio, went to the home and arrested Petrey.
Rains said Petrey told him that Roehrich ran out in front of him and that after he hit her, he got scared and drove off.
Roehrich was airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center with injuries to her leg, head and pelvis.
Family friends said Roehrich has pins in her broken leg, but is in good spirits. She remains at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
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seriously not guilty? Pathetic. He hit the child and left her to me that is attempted murder. What if he had killed her or damaged her in such a way that she would never be the same again-how do we know he has not done that already. The man did it-he is simply guilty. He needs to pay. These jacka$$ lawyers find ways to get people off so the lawyer looks good. They could care less what really happened and make them pay – isn’t that the purpose of laws?? I have always been told if there was a killing to be done head to that part of Kentucky and you will get away with it. Sick, sick sick.
this is not suprising at all. there is no justice in the court around here. just us is what it is really called.
they should all the law makers and law and judges and put them in their place and see how they feel if someone hurt my kids if justice was not seen i would take care of it myself.
My name is Eric Paul. I have nothing to hide. I work at Kroger on the falls road. This man has a police record. He used to come in the store where I work at and bum money from the customers to buy him cigarettes. I can smell his stench all over this case. He is as guilty as satan was when he was thrown down from heaven. it’s just like him to hit an innocent child and leave them for dead on the side of the road and then try to flee the scene of the incident like the coward he has and always will be.
Ok, Now I get it. You can hit some little girl and walk away with a slap on the hand and say BAD BAD BOY. yeah right. The Dude has NO LICENSE, NO INSURANCE, ALMOST KILLED SOMEONE, RAN FROM THE SEEN but hey that’s ok. While a little 12 yr old is wtill in the Hospital.. Let me think WHAT IS WRONG with this picture???? Oh yea we are in Ky…Rule’s only apply to certian people. When some shoot’s another person in self defence he is put away that day and then spend’s the next 7 plus yr’s in Jail. This dude does a hit and run slap on the hand and will wait until sept then I’m sure they will say time done….Law’s should apply to everyone not just who they pick out cuz he didn’t have a lawyer present… Court appointed lawyer’s are there!!! I pray for the Family of the little 12 yr old and I pray she will be just fine too.. Get well sweetie….
What a crock of crap Only in south east ky can a person hit a child and then run off to leave her there to die and end up with just a simple misdemeanor charges against them!!!! and then another person can grow a few pot plants to use themselfs not to sell at all and do 10 years for this this is ONE screwed up state and court system