Former Murray High teacher enters Alford plea to rape and child abuse charges

A former Murray High teacher was sentenced to five years jail time Monday after entering an Alford plea to rape and child abuse charges.

The Murray Sentinel reported in a social media post Jason Shelby was remanded to custody.  Shelby pleaded guilty using the North Carolina v. Alford plea to the charges in September.  He was arrested last year  following an investigation by Kentucky State Police which said a former student has relations with him in 2008 and 2009 when she was 15 and 16 years of age. 

The Alford plea means Shelby does not admit guilt, but concedes they would most likely be convicted at trial.

Allegations against Shelby date back to 2005, but there wasn't enough evidence to charge him until last year.  

Shelby resigned as teacher in the Murray district in 2018 and first entered a not guilty plea before changing his plea in September.

story/photo:  The Murray Sentinel