Scott County jury finds Deionta Catlett guilty of murder and drug-trafficking felonies tied to 2023 police chase

A Scott County jury has found Deionta Catlett guilty of murder and multiple other felonies stemming from a deadly 2023 police chase, according to a WKYT report. The case brought together allegations that the defendant’s actions resulted in a death and also involved trafficking-related offenses, which prosecutors said were part of the same criminal conduct.

WKYT reported that the conviction was returned by the jury in Scott County, with the guilty findings covering murder and additional felonies related to drug trafficking. The report identified Catlett as a Georgetown man and described the verdict as resulting from charges tied to the 2023 incident during the police pursuit.

The jury’s decision marks a completed trial on the issues presented by the prosecution and defense, including the requirement that jurors determine guilt beyond a reasonable doubt for each charged offense. In Kentucky felony cases, murder convictions are typically accompanied by additional findings when the indictment includes other serious counts, such as drug-trafficking charges, and those determinations can affect the overall sentencing range and the length and terms of any confinement.

Details on the exact charges, the statutory counts, and the evidence presented during the proceedings were not included in the WKYT summary available here. The report nevertheless indicates that the deadly 2023 police chase was central to the case and that prosecutors pursued both violent and controlled-substance-related allegations as part of the same prosecution.

After a jury returns a guilty verdict, Kentucky criminal cases generally move to a sentencing phase where the court considers statutory penalties, any mandatory minimums that apply to specific counts, and the factual findings relevant to punishment. Defendants convicted of murder and related felonies may also pursue post-trial motions and, depending on the outcome of sentencing and any appeals, further review in appellate courts.

The case underscores how police pursuits can lead to criminal charges that expand beyond endangerment and vehicle-related offenses, particularly when prosecutors assert that drug trafficking accompanied the violent conduct. For Scott County and the surrounding region, a conviction in a high-stakes case also has direct community impact, affecting victims’ families and shaping how courts handle accountability for serious crimes that involve law enforcement encounters.

WKYT’s report indicated that the jury’s decision resolved the central questions of liability in the criminal matter. The next procedural steps will depend on the court schedule and the sentencing determination, after which the defense may seek relief through available legal channels.