A couple from Kentucky is facing murder charges following an incident that resulted in the death of their neighbor. Shawn Durbin, 39, and Nancy Durbin, 36, are currently detained at Hardin County jail, with Shawn Durbin facing additional charges of resisting arrest and third-degree assault on a police officer.
The incident occurred on November 13 at the couple’s residence in the Sugar Mill Apartments, Elizabethtown. The victim, 62-year-old Bobby Pennington, was also at the Durbin’s apartment, although the reason for his presence remains unclear.
According to reports, a dispute broke out between the Durbins and Pennington, which escalated to the point where the couple allegedly threw Pennington off their second-floor balcony. The balcony, surrounded by a metal railing, was approximately 12 feet above the ground, as per the Elizabethtown Police Department.
Police were alerted to a man suffering from cardiac arrest at the apartment complex located on the 100 block of East Memorial Drive. Upon arrival, they found a woman performing CPR on Pennington. The woman claimed to have witnessed the Durbins throwing Pennington from the balcony.
Pennington was immediately transported to the Baptist Health hospital. Medical examinations revealed that he had sustained a broken neck and ribs. Initially, the Durbins were arrested and charged with assault. However, following Pennington’s death, the charges were upgraded to murder.
Elizabethtown Police Department spokesman Chris Denham expressed his disgust at the incident, stating that Pennington did not provoke the attack. Denham also criticized the Durbins for denying any involvement in Pennington’s death, stating that their denial reflected poorly on their character. According to reports, Pennington was a quiet individual who did not cause trouble.
The Durbins are currently being held at the Hardin County Detention Center and are scheduled to appear in court next month.