State can proceed with death penalty against man accused of killing Gabbi Doolin

SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. – Allen Circuit Judge Janet Crocker ruled against a defense motion Friday seeking to declare the Kentucky death penalty unconstitutional in the case against the man accused of sexually assaulting and killing Gabbi Doolin, a 7-year-old Scottsville girl in 2015.

Timothy Madden, of Scottsville, is facing the death penalty in the case. He is charged with kidnapping-victim death, first-degree rape – victim under 12 years old, first-degree sodomy – victim under 12 years old and murder. Gabbi’s official cause of death was strangulation and drowning, according to her death certificate.

Gabbi Doolin was sexually assaulted and killed in a field near Allen-County Scottsville High School while her older brother Alec played in a youth league football game in November 2015.

Friday’s ruling allows the state to proceed with seeking the death penalty against Madden, said Corey Morgan, 49th Judicial Circuit Commonwealth’s Attorney.

The case is scheduled to be tried Sept. 4 in Hardin County. Morgan anticipates the trial to last one month.

Prior to the trial, Madden will have two additional hearings and will be evaluated at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center to determine whether or not he had criminal responsibility at the time of Gabbi’s death. This is not an evaluation to determine if he is competent to stand trial, Morgan said.

Madden’s defense team is having DNA evidence in the case retested.

A jury will determine whether or not to sentence Madden to death.