Jury convicts woman on lesser charges in shooting

HAZARD, Ky. - A jury in eastern Kentucky has convicted a woman in a homicide, but of less serious charges than those she was indicted on.

According to WYMT-TV in Hazard, a Perry County jury on Tuesday found Sarah Melton guilty of reckless homicide and assault and also found her mentally ill. As a result, Melton could be out of jail in just over a year.

Melton had been indicted on a murder charge in the fatal shooting a year ago of Cindy Caudill and the wounding of Melton's brother, Kirby William Couch. Police said Couch and Caudill were riding an ATV in March 2011 when Melton fired a shotgun blast, striking them both.

Melton will be sentenced July 26. The jury recommended a 6-year prison sentence and asked that she receive mental health treatment.