Daviess County Attorney John Burlew has been appointed as the special prosecutor in a Grayson County case involving a Leitchfield police officer accused of using excessive force during a fire emergency.
“The County Attorney’s office in Grayson County wanted out because they’re prosecuting a cop in their county,” Burlew said. “It makes sense.”
A special prosecutions representative from the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office contacted Burlew and asked if he would take on the case. After agreeing, he was officially appointed as the special prosecutor.
“They call you, ask you if you’ll do it, and I said yes,” Burlew said. “I don’t think I’ve ever said no. It’s not the first time I’ve been appointed as a special prosecutor, but this is the most unique case I’ve had.”
The case involves Dennis Newton Jr., a Leitchfield police officer indicted on misdemeanor charges, including assault, terroristic threatening, criminal trespassing, and menacing. The charges stem from a June 9, 2024, incident in which Newton is accused of using excessive force against homeowner Lannie Fentress and his adult son, Daron Fentress, while they attempted to extinguish a fire in their home.
According to court documents, Newton and other officers arrived on the scene before firefighters and prevented the Fentresses from re-entering their home. Newton reportedly threatened the pair, used a taser multiple times, and struck the elder Fentress in the face, according to documents.
Both Fentresses were arrested, but a Grayson County grand jury dismissed all charges against them and instead returned a seven-count indictment against Newton, court documents show.
Burlew said he had reviewed much of the evidence, including body camera footage of the incident.
Burlew said all Grayson County judges recused themselves from the case, citing potential conflicts of interest. Deborah Shaw, a judge from Hardin County, has been appointed to oversee the proceedings.
Newton has been suspended without pay since the charges were filed. He faces two counts of fourth-degree assault, two counts of third-degree terroristic threatening, one count of first-degree criminal trespassing, and two counts of menacing.
In addition to the criminal case Burlew is prosecuting, a federal civil rights trial and a separate civil suit stemming from the same incident have been filed. These cases — filed against the City of Leitchfield, Grayson County, and individual officers — allege excessive force, negligence, and constitutional violations.
The first pretrial conference was held on December 18, and the next hearing is scheduled for February 17 in Hardin County.
“It’s an interesting case, and I intend to prosecute it,” Burlew said.
