Kentucky Attorney General Denounces Judge’s Sentence for Sexual Assault Convict as Unlawful Abuse of Discretion

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has condemned Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Tracy Davis’ imposition of a 30-year sentence on Christopher Thompson, 24, following his conviction for sexual assault, kidnapping, and robbery that resulted in the jury recommending a 65-year term.

Coleman announced he will appeal the ruling to the Kentucky Supreme Court, calling it an “unlawful abuse of judicial discretion.”

In a statement, Coleman detailed the crime: Thompson forced his way into the victim’s vehicle, sexually assaulted her, made her drive to an ATM, and then sexually abused her again. He stated, “It is every father’s worst nightmare. We can never make that victim whole,” adding that “Her life will be changed forever. Her family’s life will be forever changed.”

Coleman emphasized his goal of implementing the jury’s recommended sentence: “What I’m seeking is for the jury’s recommended sentence to be carried out.” He said, “That’s what justice looks like here. We’re going to fight for that because the judge abused her discretion.” Coleman also noted, “That’s what we also saw in the court.”

The attorney general warned that such judicial actions undermine law enforcement efforts: “What that says to the men and women of law enforcement when judges disregard the law to impose their own view outside of the bounds of the law, it says that those officers don’t matter. It says that their efforts don’t matter, and it makes us less safe.”

Coleman reiterated his commitment to the rule of law: “My job is to support the men and women of law enforcement, to do the hard work of putting hands on those offenders to keep us safe.”