Trial Date Cancelled in Alleged Murder Case

Michael Edwards, 41, of Manchester, KY, appeared in Circuit Court before Judge Oscar Gayle House on February 03, 2026, for a pretrial conference in Case #24-CR-00044-001.

Edwards was arrested on August 10, 2024, after allegedly carjacking a Chevrolet truck in an attempt to escape the parking lot of T-Mart in Annville, KY, which resulted in the death of Tracy Clemmons “Jones,” 52.

Edwards ran from law enforcement agencies and, in the process, allegedly committed even more crimes. He was captured, arrested, and charged with 1) murder, 2) carjacking, 3) wanton endangerment, 1st degree (2 counts), 4) fleeing or evading police, 2nd degree, 5) criminal mischief, 1st degree, 6) resisting arrest, and 7) possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. At his arraignment, Edwards waived the need for a formal arraignment and entered a not-guilty plea to all charges. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for November 04, 2025. A trial by jury was scheduled for February 17, 2026.

At the pretrial conference last week (02/03/26), the trial date was cancelled, and a CID Mediation will occur. CID (Civil or Criminal Investigations/Disputes) mediation is a voluntary, confidential process using a neutral third party to help disputing parties reach a mutually agreeable settlement outside of court. It is faster and less formal than litigation, allowing participants to control the outcome, reduce stress, and, in some contexts like the Kentucky Court of Justice, handle felony cases or civil disputes through structured, facilitated negotiation.

A pretrial conference was scheduled for April 07, 2026.

The grand jury indictment was returned at the beginning of October 2024. Edwards remains in custody at the Clay County Detention Center while awaiting his next court appearance.

It was also reported that Edwards was driven to the T-Mart parking lot by an accomplice in the carjacking. In the business security footage, Edwards can be seen jumping out of the back-passenger seat of a Chevy Malibu whereupon he entered Clemmons Chevrolet truck in an attempt to carjack the vehicle.

The person driving the Chevy Malibu LTZ was identified as Richard Marcum, 38, of Tyner KY. Sheriff Isaacs obtained an arrest warrant. Marcum had used a sander and sandpaper to sand the paint on the hood of the 2015 Chevy Malibu in an effort to make the vehicle unidentifiable. He was arrested on Monday, August 12, 2024 and charged with 1) carjacking and 2) tampering with physical evidence. A grand jury subsequently returned an indictment against Marcum but modified the charges to consist of one count of complicity carjacking.

Marcum appeared before Judge Oscar Gayle House in Circuit Court on December 03, 2024, for a pretrial conference in Case #24-CR-00044-002. A trial by jury for Marcum was also scheduled for February 17, 2026.

As in any case at this stage of adjudication, the arrests are part of a preliminary investigation, and the charges are allegations. The defendant(s) are presumed innocent until the court provides due process and determines them to be guilty.