LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- They're accused of stealing thousands of dollars in a carpet-cleaning scam, and now, one of two men put behind bars during a Target 32 investigation plans to testify against his co-defendant. After several tries, the state thought plea deals were done deals for Bailey Shane Blankenship and Kenneth Murphy. "I am told that Mr. Murphy is rejecting his offer," said Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Todd Lewis. "Therefore, of course, Mr. Blankenship will not receive his offer initially made to him." These developments will prolong a case that started a year ago when some customers of America's Best claimed they were told a carpet cleaning would run $100 or so, and then charged hundreds more. NewsChannel 32 went looking for the owners at the business, which had allegedly been shut down, and found cleaning equipment, along with Murphy and Blankenship. "I been doing this 15 years and never had any complaints, not of this nature, anyway. All of sudden we've got this going on," Blankenship said at the time. "I think I got a cop that's just pissed off at us, I don't know." Police said since then, at least one of the suspects has been cooperative. "Mr. Blankenship has indicated a willingness to come forward, be honest about what happened," Lewis said. "So the commonwealth will discuss with him having him as a witness to testify in that matter." The carpet cleaner won't say why he's coming clean. Blankenship's co-defendant plans to continue to trial. Detective John Fogle spent weeks compiling evidence and weeks trying to find the two, but it could be months before his case is finally cleared. "It's frustrating, but I've been a detective for 13 years now," Fogle said. "This is part of the system." "He has a right to a trial and that's definitely what the commonwealth's going to give him," Lewis said. This article is from: http://www.wlky.com/news/16750510/detail.html
