A Henry County man has been found guilty of a murder committed in October 2018.
Gregory M. Heightchew, 25, of Smithfield, was found guilty of murder in Henry Circuit Court in the death of 22-year-old Elijah Creekmore, also of Henry County, according to Kentucky State Police.
Creekmore’s body, which had been shot, was found in a burned 2005 Chevrolet Impala in Lockport on October 3, 2018. He had been reported missing by his mother.
In addition to murder, Heightchew was found guilty of first-degree arson, attempted murder and tampering with physical evidence.
The attempted murder conviction stems from a dispute between Heightchew, Creekmore, Joshua Jackson, and Marcus Pinion that preceded Creekmore’s murder, according to Henry County KY Worst Crimes.com, as Heightchew fired a weapon several times at multiple individuals. The dispute was related to a burglary.
The jury recommended a sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years. Heightchew’s formal sentencing is scheduled for April 18.
Jackson previously pled guilty to complicity to murder, complicity to arson and tampering with physical evidence in the case. Jackson helped Heightchew load Creekmore into the Chevy and assisted in setting the vehicle on fire.
(Photo: Gregory M. Heightchew)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
