Warren County murder case: Wife doesn’t want jury trial

The wife of a South Lebanon man facing the death penalty is scheduled for a one-day trial in January on lesser charges stemming from the same violent incident.

This morning, Jacqueline Kirby, 31, waived her right to a jury trial and agreed to a one-day “bench trial” before Judge Donald Oda II on Jan. 29 in Warren County Common Pleas Court.

She is charged with tampering with evidence, receiving stolen property and misuse of credit cards in the case.

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Facing the death penalty is Christopher Kirby, 38, held on charges of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, murder, attempted murder, felonious assault, grand theft and tampering with evidence in connection with the beating death of his sister and severe beating of her husband.

His adoptive sister, Debrah Power, 63, of South Lebanon, was pronounced dead from head injuries Sept. 15 at her home in South Lebanon. Her husband, Ronnie Power, was badly beaten in the attack and remains in serious condition, according to authorities.

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The four people involved in the case shared a house in South Lebanon.

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“Jacqueline stated during her interview, they used Mr. Power’s cell phone to contact drug dealers. She said they were trying to sell a television they’d taken from the residence,” an investigator alleged in a search-warrant affidavit.

The tampering with evidence charges stem from the Kirbys’ alleged disposal of the cell phone and Debra Power’s purse on Interstate 75, where they were arrested.

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Christopher Kirby remained in the county jail without bond. Jacqueline Kirby’s bond has been reduced from $250,000 to $20,000, but she also remained in jail while her lawyer, Tamara Sack, worked on a place for her to stay upon her release.

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