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STANFORD — Less than a week after his case was waived to a grand jury, a Mercer County man accused of shooting at a Stanford police officer has been indicted on one count of attempted murder.
Jackie Murphy, 71, of 1251 Hopewell Road, Harrodsburg, was charged after a shootout with Stanford police officer Tim Morris in front of Walmart on Aug. 20.
Murphy was shot four times below the waist during the incident and taken from the scene by ambulance. According to police, Murphy was confronted by Walmart security after attempting to shoplift some sandpaper. Murphy fled the store and ran toward the gas station, opening fire on Morris’ cruiser as it pulled in. Morris was responding to Walmart’s report of a shoplifter.
Murphy was transferred to a medical facility at the Kentucky State Reformatory in La Grange shortly after the incident, where he remained until he posted a $200,000 property bond on Oct. 5.
Friends in Harrodsburg have said Murphy is a Vietnam veteran who appeared to be under increased amounts of stress in the days leading up to the shooting.
The grand jury returned the indictment Tuesday. State police Detective Monty Owens was the grand jury witness. Murphy is scheduled to appear in Lincoln Circuit Court for arraignment Dec. 14 at 10 a.m.