The former Sigma Alpha Epsilon president charged with assaulting a police officer over the weekend entered a plea of not guilty on Thursday in Fayette County District Court.
International studies junior Joe McKinley plead not guilty to third-degree assault of an officer. McKinley was arrested after an incident at the SAE house where a student was set on fire, according to police reports.
Sean Dunn, a former SAE member and international studies sophomore, pled not guilty to first-degree arson, first-degree wanton endangerment and tampering with physical evidence on Wednesday.
The national SAE fraternity has closed the UK chapter while an investigation proceeds by both the national fraternity and UK Police into the incident.
McKinley has been removed as president of UK’s chapter of SAE. His next court date is April 7 at 8:30 a.m.
Of course he pled not guilty. He didn’t assault the officer like the media has portrayed. I don’t even know this kid and I’m not the biggest fan of SAE, but come on, all of you people get over it. Don’t criticize until you know all of the facts. Its obvious that he didn’t just stand up and punch the cop because there are several stories out there that all tell the story a different way. I have heard from a high up employee at UK, and no I wont state any names but I assure you that you all know him, that McKinley was asleep and was oblivious to the fact that cops were waking him up. Honest mistake. If this important UK employee believes it, then you should too.
All of you people need to get a life and stop dragging out rumors. Worst than paparazzi.
THANK YOU! Finally someone speaks some since. Who in their right mind actually decides to stand his ground against a room full of cops and decide to try and whip them? When I was in school at UK I had several friends that were taken advantage of from some of the Lexington Police department. One left school after graduation, with a huge settlement from the city of Lexington after being brutally beaten in jail by a couple officers. This kid has unfortunately tarnished his reputation, which I understand was a good one. Tons of friends, honors student, active with the University. They shouldnt hang him out to dry so fast and he doesnt need a bunch of low lifes putting him down on a message board.
Hope this kid receives the justice he deserves. He obviously wasnt out on the town tearing up shit and causing trouble. How do you go from sleeping, then in handcuffs? Give me a break. Nobody has even mentioned how a couple other residents were treated in their room that night. One, completely sober, jerked from top bunk onto the ground as he is told to wake up because he told the officer a different room number than he was actually in. The kid just switched rooms prior week. Just take a minute and look at all the other stories this newspaper has to offer. Murder, robbery, rape. This doesnt even compare.
I couldn’t agree more with you two. This story has been totally and completely skewed! I feel bad for these kids.
Wrapping a kid in toilet paper and catching it on fire sounds like good clean fun to me! I could see any guy doing this honestly, its just how us guys are, we’re pranksters! He obviously had no intent of causing any harm! As for the McKinley boy, I think its a shame how the media has tried its damnedest to slander his name and his fathers name. His father had nothing to do with this, why is it important to continue to bring his name into this? I think the story that he was asleep and was startled when awoken is more plausible. I hope this all passes for this lad, there is no reason for anyone to want his future to be harmed or for him not to be successful, so everyone should stop wishing for the worst!
Passes for the lad? Well if you must use the term? I feel that there should be more investigation. Yes and maybe the charges be turned into contempted murder. He set a guy on “fire”. Joke? Sounds more like a serious crime. As for his dad, I didn’t even know who the dad was and could frankly give a hairy rat’s butt. His dad is not going to have to account for his son for the son’s life. Now back to my serious life.
Contempted murder? really? Wow. Yeah maybe you should go back to your serious life, because your internet life is a joke. That is the most absurd statement I have heard. You honestly think he was trying to kill the kid? Get. A. Life.
uk alum…..who in their right minds runs outside in a thong and punches someone….or who in their right mind wraps someone in toilet paper and lights it on fire. your point of who in their right mind obviously doesnt apply here
ukalum….once again making up stories
Mckinley is a loser! Was arrested for Assault last year and was found guilty in trial. He is currently being sued in Civil court for Assault. No to mention he’s been in trouble many times before but always pulled the “My Daddy is a Federal Judge” and sometimes got away with crimes.
UKALUM….who is this friend who was beaten at the Jail? Did you know the Lexington Police does not run the Jail??? All they do is drop off their prisoners at the intake desk and leave. Think your whole story is Bullshit. Now back to Mckinley, anyone who’s been arrested 2 times in a year for assault has problems. Not to mention the Civil Suit he has ongoing right now. His Daddy’s gonna have to pay up now!!!
Murder??? There hasn’t been a murder on Campus in 40 years!! Are you really claiming the Kernel is overlooking Murders to report this???? hahaha…..maybe they are running this story because the Kernel received numerous calls and emails about the bad behavior of Mckinley, Dunn and many other SAE members who have been arrested. Including the acting President Bobby Pelosi who got a DUI not long ago. If the previous and current Presidents of SAE have criminal convictions for Assault, drunk driving and numerous other offenses I can only imagine what the rest have.
All the people involved in this incident have been arrested before! Pelosi-Drunk Driving. Mckinley-Assault. Dunn-Drunk in Public/Disorderly Conduct. Not to mention the multiple other small charges these 3 have been convicted on.