Janitor charged with Florence murder wants out of jail on bond

FLORENCE, Ky. - The man charged with murdering his former co-worker at a Northern Kentucky business where he was a janitor wants out of jail on bond.

David Dooley was charged with murdering Michelle Mockbee at Thermo-Fischer Scientific in May. Dooley appeared before a Boone County judge Wednesday morning, where his attorney, Eric Deters argued for Dooley to be released on bond.

Deters says the prosecution has no evidence or basis to charge Dooley.

"It's not fair to him," said Deters.

The prosecution argued the case is not complete and they're still investigating.

Dooley is being held at the Boone County Jail on $500,000 bond. Dooley was also charged with kidnapping and tampering with physical evidence in the case.

In November, a judge denied Dooley's first request to have his bond lowered. Before she was murdered, Mockbee had worked at the Florence business for more than a decade. Dooley performed janitorial work for the business. 

Prosecutors say the combination of murder and kidnapping charges could result in a death penalty case.

Mockbee's friends and family attended Wednesday's hearing, wearing red ribbons in support of the mother of two. They declined to comment on the hearing.

Dooley's wife, Janet and his mother were also in the courtroom.

A judge will announce his decision on Dec. 20.

Stay with 9 News and WCPO.com for updates as they become available.