Binion pleads guilty in Olive Hill stabbing case

By Jeremy D. Wells

Carter County Times

Billie Binion filed a change of plea last Wednesday on charges related to her arrest stemming from a stabbing that occurred on January 26, 2023, in Olive Hill. Binion was arrested by Olive Hill Police officers after he stabbed Clifford James – breaking several inches of the knife into the wound – then used the remainder of the blade to cut a second individual, Clyde James, in the face.

According to a statement provided to Olive Hill Police Chief Bruce Palmer at the time, the attack was completely unprovoked. Palmer said both victims told him they were just having a conversation with Binion when she stabbed Clifford without pretext or warning. Palmer also said Binion, who escaped over a barbed wire fence by removing her shirt, was “non-compliant in all areas” and had to be “subdued and restrained” once apprehended.

Binion pleaded guilty Wednesday to an amended charge of first-degree assault under extreme emotional disturbance — an amended charge from the original charge of first-degree assault. This amendment changes the charge from a Class B felony, punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison, to a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Binion also pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree assault, first-degree fleeing or eluding police on foot and resisting arrest.

Binion is expected to be sentenced in July.

In other action Wednesday, Phillips accepted a change of plea from Willis Underwood, of Olive Hill, who pleaded guilty in Alford to a heroin trafficking charge stemming from an incident that occurred in May 2023. An Alford plea allows for a defendant to plead guilty and accept a plea bargain – recognizing that the prosecution's evidence would likely lead to a conviction – while maintaining his or her innocence.

Dylan Ingles, of Grayson, changed his plea to guilty on charges of first-degree possession of methamphetamine and first-degree possession of heroin from February of this year, charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia charges were dismissed. on a Commonwealth motion.

Ingles, who is currently in a residential treatment program, also entered a change of plea to guilty in an egregious failure to provide food assistance case from the same month.

Dennis Chapman, of Grayson, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of second-degree criminal abuse – child under 12 years of age. This is an amendment to the original charge, from January of this year, of first-degree criminal violence, with Phillips notes indicating that the defendant complied with the plans of the Department of Community Services.

Frank Seagraves pleaded guilty to his charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence in September 2023, with the aggravated circumstances charge dismissed. Seagraves also pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree trafficking in methamphetamine, no registration receipt, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jessica Prichard, of Grayson, pleaded guilty in May 2023 to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license. Charges of failure to present an insurance card and reckless driving were dismissed following motions from the Commonwealth.

Billy Valandingham also pleaded guilty to his January charges of public intoxication of a controlled substance and theft by unlawful taking of things valued at more than $10,000 but less than $1,000,000 with the victim's approved offer presumed.

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