Antonio Coatley v. Commonwealth of Kentucky

── Antonio Coatley v. Commonwealth of Kentucky ── Court: Court of Appeals of Kentucky Date: May 15, 2026 Author: Combs Category: General RENDERED: MAY 15, 2026; 10:00 A.M. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED Commonwealth of Kentucky Court of Appeals NO. 2025-CA-0492-MR ANTONIO COATLEY APPELLANT APPEAL FROM JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT v. HONORABLE ANNIE O’CONNELL, JUDGE ACTION NO. 23-CR-000204 COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY APPELLEE OPINION AFFIRMING ** ** ** ** ** BEFORE: COMBS, KAREM, AND MCNEILL, JUDGES. COMBS, JUDGE: Appellant, Antonio Lamont Coatley, appeals from an Order of the Jefferson Circuit Court, Division Two, revoking his probation. After our review, we affirm. On September 20, 2023, Coatley entered a plea of guilty to Count 1: Strangulation in the First Degree; Count 2: Fleeing or Evading Police in the Second Degree (Pedestrian) -- As Amended; Count 3: Assault in the Fourth Degree (Domestic Violence); Count 4: Assault in the Fourth Degree (Domestic Violence); and Count 5: Violation of a Protective Order. On November 15, 2023, the trial court entered Judgment of Conviction and Sentence of Probation. The court sentenced Coatley to five (5) years on Count 1, Strangulation, and to twelve months on each of the remaining counts -- all counts to run concurrently for a total of five (5) years to serve, probated for five years. On February 10, 2025, the Commonwealth filed the motion now before us to revoke Coatley’s probation based upon allegations of a new felony arrest. The accompanying February 2, 2025, violation of probation report sets forth as follows: On 1/30/25 a warrant of arrest was issued in Jefferson County charging the offender with Strangulation 1st Degree (Domestic Violence Related) & Assault 4th Degree (Domestic) 3rd or Greater within 5 Years. . . . The narrative on the warrant reads: [D]efendant . . . was in a verbal argument with the victim (Hyacinth Henry) that turned physical when the deft placed his hands around the victim’s neck and applied pressure, intentionally impeding the victim’s breathing. The victim reported she was unable to breathe and felt as if she would pass out. The victim sustained bruising, swelling and scratches to her neck and scratches, swelling and redness to her left shoulder. Police were called, report LMPD 25006639 was filed and photos were taken of the victim’s injuries. The deft has prior convictions of Assault 4 DV in the last five years. See cases 22F007123 and 23CR000204 (2 cts). The deft and victim have a child in common. -2-  On March 4, 2025,1 the circuit court conducted an evidentiary hearing. At the commencement of the proceeding, the court stated: “We’re scheduled for a hearing on the Commonwealth’s motion to revoke today based on allegations of a new felony arrest. The Commonwealth apparently has witnesses here.” The court then asked, “Are we going to have a hearing?” The response from counsel was “yes,” and the court stated, “Ok, first witness.” The Commonwealth called Officer Josh Thompson, who had investigated the case. After reviewing the body-cam footage of the responding officers, Officer Thompson charged Coatley with first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence). Officer Thompson described the basis for the charges. The victim and Coatley had had a verbal argument. Coatley wanted the victim to “shut-up” and started strangling her with both hands. The victim had multiple visible injurie