One-on-One: Ky. Gov. Beshear open to listing more crimes as violent for parole purposes

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKRC) – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear told Local 12 on Wednesday that he's open to listing more criminal offenses as violent crimes for the purpose of parole eligibility.

But others, including attempted murder, attempted rape, arson, second-degree manslaughter and strangulation don't meet that standard, so offenders can be eligible for parole after 20% of time served.

In a sit-down interview at the Kentucky State Capitol, Local 12 asked: “Do you think that somebody who has been convicted of attempted murder or attempted rape should be eligible for parole after 20% of their sentence?”

“I think it’s always good to always look back as different classifications can change and I think there are some that should be considered violent crimes and there are others that we need to think about in different ways,” Beshear said.

Before becoming elected governor four years ago, Beshear served as attorney general, the commonwealth’s top law enforcement official.

Notably, Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders is leading an effort in the upcoming legislative session to reevaluate and potentially adjust the classification of certain offenses. The goal is to include crimes like arson, second-degree manslaughter, and attempted murder or attempted rape in the list of violent crimes that demand a higher percentage of the sentence served before parole is possible.

Governor Beshear expressed openness to these proposed changes but highlighted the importance of ensuring that any modifications don't overload Kentucky's already congested prison system.

“Absolutely. And we need to be not only open-minded about it, but often times this is common sense,” Beshear said. “So, let's be smart, let's be open minded, and let's have those conversation but let's always remember the trauma and the impact that violent crime has on the victims.”

Beshear emphasized the need to distinguish between violent crimes that warrant strict sentences and those that might require a more nuanced approach, such as for some lower-level drug offenses.

Local 12 also asked Beshear his thoughts on the larger omnibus crime bill being prepared by some Louisville republican lawmakers. The Safer Communities Act would create new criminal charges as well as a new “three-strikes and you’re out” provision that would mean life without parole for some repeat offenders.

“There are a lot of pieces to it and right now all I’ve seen are bullet points,” Beshear said. “And being a former attorney general, I need to see it in print in the bill. But it’s something I’ll take a close look at.”

Local 12 also asked Beshear whether Kentucky was on track to start medical marijuana sales at the beginning of 2025 as required by the law the General Assembly passed last spring.

He said yes, but that the legislature needs to tweak a couple of dates and that people shouldn’t expect a huge rollout at the beginning.

We’ll have the second part of Beshear’s interview on Thursday, highlighting his budget and legislative priorities heading into the next General Assembly session. It runs between Jan. 2 and April 15, with lawmakers hammering out the commonwealth’s two-year budget.