Kentucky Criminal Justice System Makes Tragic Mistakes
Wrongful convictions are a problem in Kentucky as evidenced by the following cases
Michael VonAllmen, 1983, Jefferson County, convicted of Rape 1°t, Sodomy 1%, Robbery 1*,
sentenced to 35 years. Sentence vacated after proof of an alternative prepetrator
Herman May, 1988, Franklin County, convicted of Rape 1%t and Sodomy 1*, sentenced to 40
years. Sentence vacated due to DNA results and misidentification.
William Gregory, 1992, Jefferson county, convicted of Rape 1*, Attempted Rape 1°, and Burglary
1%, sentenced to 70 years. Sentence vacated due to cross-racial misidentification and fabricated
hair comparison.
Edwin A. Chandler, 1993, Jefferson County capital case; convicted of Robbery 1%t and
Manslaughter 2"4, sentenced to 30 years. Sentence vacated due to police misconduct and
failure to investigate other leads.
Lacy Bedingfield, 1995, Fayette County, convicted of Rape 1°, sentenced to 25 years. Sentence
vacated as a result of DNA testing and perjury during first trial.
Kerry Porter, 1996, Jefferson County, convicted of Murder, sentenced to 60 years. Sentence
vacated after finding evidence of an alternative perpetrator.
Ben Kiper, 1999, Butler County, convicted of Sexual Abuse 1°, sentenced to 55 years. Sentence
vacated due to perjury at trial.
Larry Osborne, 1999, Whitley County, convicted of 2 counts of Murder, Arson 1%, Robbery 1°,
and Burglary 1%, sentenced to death. He was acquitted upon reversal and retrial. See Osborne
v. Commonwealth, 43 S.W.3d 234 (Kentucky 2001).
Tim Smith, 2000, Kenton County, convicted of Sodomy 1*t, sentenced to 20 years. Sentence
vacated due to perjury at trial.
. Jaqulyn Green, 2000, McCreary County, convicted of Complicity to commit Murder under EED,
sentenced to 18 years. Granted clemency due to government misconduct and ineffective
assistance of counsel.
. Sam Plotnick, 2001, Whitley County, convicted of Sexual Abuse 1%, sentenced to 18 years.
Sentence vacated due to perjury at trial.
. Jason Girts, 2004, Bullit County, convicted of Sexual Abuse 1°, sentenced to 5 years. Sentence
vacated due to perjury at trial.
. Denarius Terry, 2003, Logan County, convicted of Murder, Robbery 1%, and Wanton
Endangerment 1*, sentenced to 45 years. His conviction was reversed and he was acquitted
on retrial.
. John Phillips, 2005, McCreay County, convicted of Assault 1‘, sentenced to 10 years. His
conviction was reversed and he was acquitted on retrial.
