Several suspects in fatal Harvest Homecoming shooting avoid trial with plea deals

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Several people arrested in a fatal shooting at Harvest Homecoming are not going to trial.

There are at least nine suspects in the case. Two adults and two juveniles have pleaded guilty, while five others are scheduled to go to trial later this year.

"Right now I am contemplating on going to trial based on discussions that I've had with my client, I believe this case will go to trial in August unless there's something that's some smoking gun in discovery that I don't know about, but that is my intent," said defense attorney William McCall.

McCall is representing Shermichael Smith. He is one of several people arrested in connection to the fatal shooting at Harvest Homecoming last year.

18-year-old Bryce Gerlach was an innocent bystander and died after being caught in the crossfire, and two other people were injured.

Isaiah Page is charged with murder and scheduled to go to trial later this year.

Prosecutors say Joshua Smith, Darius Tuff and two juveniles have all pleaded guilty and are waiting to be sentenced.

Smith's attorney recently met with his client and explained why he expects to go to trial rather than take a plea deal in the case.

"He was working at GE for four or five years and I felt bad when I came in and asked him a question, 'what's your criminal history' and he said none, absolutely none," McCall said. "It's unusual to have a situation where you've got a young man that's not been involved in any type of activity of gunplay or anything of that nature."

The Floyd County Prosecutor did not want to go on camera Monday, but said "they are continuing to pursue accountability for all those involved."

They have also successful negotiated several plea deals in the case and more are expected.

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