Guilty Plea and Sentencing of Karen Clemmons regarding the Murder of Mary King Abrams

 Karen Ann Clemmons, 45, of McKee, KY appeared before Judge Oscar Gayle House in Circuit Court on Wednesday, July 16[th], 2025 to enter her plea in Case #22-CR-00040-001.
 
A Grand Jury returned an indictment (#22-CR-40) on October 04, 2022 charging Clemmons, 45, of McKee, KY and one other individual in connection with the murder of Mary King Abrams on July 22, 2022.

The indictment alleged that Karen Clemmons committed several crimes including:
1) The offense of "Murder" on July 22, 2022 in Jackson County, KY when she stabbed Mary King Abrams in the chest with a knife;
2) the offense of "Burglary, 1st degree" by unlawfully entering a building belonging to Mary King Abrams, with the intent to commit a crime therein, and was armed with a deadly weapon when effecting entry, while inside the building, or in immediate flight therefrom;
3) the offense of "Robbery, 1st degree" by threatening the use of physical force while armed with a knife and in the course of committing a theft at the residence of the victim, Mary King Abrams;
4) the crime of "Theft by Unlawful Taking" when she knowingly and unlawfully took and exercised control over a 2017 Ford Escape belonging to Mary King Abrams that was valued over $1,000;
5) the offense of "Tampering with Physical Evidence" by attempting to clean up blood she knew was evidence and would be produced in an official proceeding, with the intent to impair its availability at trial; and
6) the crime of "Being a persistent felony offender, 2nd degree".
Clemmons was over 18 years of age when she was convicted in Jackson Circuit Court (Action #13-CR-00022-001) for "Manufacturing Methamphetamine". Clemmons was sentenced to ten (10) years for this crime on May 08, 2013. Clemmons was also convicted in Jackson Circuit Court (Action #19-CR-0004) and sentenced to two (2) years on March 08, 2019 for "Assault, 3rd degree - Police/Probation Officer"
Clemmons was arrested on July 29, 2022 and during the investigation reportedly confessed to the murder of Mary King Abrams in a recorded interview with the Kentucky State Police.

At the plea hearing on Wednesday, Clemmons withdrew her former pleas of "not guilty" and entered pleas of guilty to all charges as part of a plea agreement with the Commonwealth Attorney. Clemmons waived the need for a pre-sentencing investigation and was sentenced immediately following her pleas.

Sentencing

Following the recommendations of the Commonwealth Attorney (as agreed to in writing by Clemmons), 

Statement of the Victim's Family

The family of Mary King Abrams attended the hearing and provided a statement after sentencing had been completed. The family (present physically or in spirit) included Jill Abrams Zientek (daughter), Chad Peyton (son), Linda Mae King (sister), Rosa Jean Davis (sister), Scott Liming, Lucy Mullen (granddaughter), Danny W. King (brother), Jack Abrams (husband), and Millie Eskew Williams.

Jill Abrams Zientek (Mary King Abrams' daughter) spoke for the family and delivered comments to the court and Judge House. Chad Peyton (Mary King Abrams' son) stood in agreement and support beside his sister as she sought to have the closure, offered by the guilty pleas and sentencing, reflect the legacy of Mary King Abrams. There was no bitterness or anger, only forgiveness and loving memories of their lost loved one.

"Mom's legacy was her faith and who she helped along life's way," Zientek told Judge House. "What happened on July 22, 2022, does not define who she was or how she should be remembered. Mom was a loving Mother, Sister, and wife, and she loved Jackson County. We only want to honor our dear Mother."

The family offered only forgiveness and hope for Karen Clemmons as she now faces the rest of her life behind bars.

Judge House remarked after Zientek's statement, "I have been a Judge for 45 years, and that was the nicest statement I have ever heard a victim's family give."

The case against Co-Defendant Kenneth "Ottie" Wilson continues.
 The same Grand Jury indictment also charged Kenneth "Ottie" Wilson, 44, of McKee, KY with "Complicity to Commit Murder" (allegedly promoting or facilitating the offense of "Murder" when he aided, counseled, or attempted to aid Karen Clemmons in the stabbing death of Mary Abrams). Because of Wilson's alleged role in facilitating and/or promoting the crimes allegedly committed by Karen Clemmons the indictment also included a number of other charges against him including "Criminal Complicity to Commit Theft by Unlawful Taking", "Criminal Complicity to Commit Robbery, 1st degree", "Criminal Complicity to Commit Burglary, 1st degree", and "Criminal Complicity to Commit Tampering with Physical Evidence". The indictment also alleges that Wilson committed the crime of "Being a Persistent Felony Offender, 2nd degree". When Wilson was over 18 years of age he was convicted in Garrard Circuit Court (Action #18-CR-00056-001) for "Possession of a Controlled Substance" and was sentenced to two (2) years in prison on July 06, 2018. 

Wilson was arrested on October 06, 2022 and booked into the Jackson County Detention Center. He is being held on a $250,000 cash bond while awaiting his next court appearance.