On March 23 of 2018, a couple of teenagers and an older man found the bodies of Micah Sammons, 20, Derek James, 26, and Amber Lockard, 31, in the 292 community of Martin County near the Pike and Martin County line. Sammons and James, were pronounced dead at the scene

Lockard was wounded during the shooting and taken to the hospital, where she died a few days later.

Lockard’s vehicle was found in West Virginia a day after Lockard died.

Lance J. Ward, 28, was indicted on May 3,2018 on three counts of murder and two counts of first-degree robbery.

Sammons father said he didn’t believe Ward acted alone. He has letters from Lance and in those letters, Ward claims Micah was like a brother to him. Ward also talks about more people involved.

Kentucky State Police Trooper William Petry said at the time, all signs pointed to Ward.

Ward originally pleaded not guilty in June 21st of 2018. Court officials are now saying Lance Ward is pleading guilty to three counts of murder.

In 2019, prosecutors filed paperwork to seek the death penalty in the case.

Ward was scheduled to go before a grand jury in March of 2020.

The robbery charges were dismissed.

This case is currently still developing.