LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) — Public backlash is growing after a Jefferson County judge reduced a violent offender’s sentence to less than half of what a jury recommended.
Christopher Thompson was convicted of kidnapping a woman in 2023, robbing her and sexually abusing her multiple times.
A jury recommended a 65-year sentence, but Judge Tracy Davis instead sentenced Thompson to 30 years, citing the possibility of rehabilitation.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerina Whethers said she was disappointed with the decision, arguing that someone who poses a serious threat to the public should be removed from society for as long as possible.
Metro Council Republicans also criticized the ruling Monday, claiming Judge Davis granted 44 shock probations over a two-year, eight-month period, reducing time served for multiple offenders. WAVE News said it was unable to immediately verify those figures.
Council member Anthony Piagentini described Thompson as “nothing short of a sociopath.”
Mayor Craig Greenberg weighed in Tuesday, voicing his disapproval of the reduced sentence.
“I’m disappointed in that change of the sentence,” Greenberg said. “I think it’s very important for individuals to be held accountable when they commit violent crimes, and I think it’s important to respect the jury process as part of that.”
Jefferson County Court Administrator McKay Chauvin said Judge Davis cannot publicly comment on matters before the court due to ethical rules.
“When a jury recommends a sentence, the judge, by law, cannot increase the penalty but has the option to accept it, reject it, or lower it,” Chauvin said. “What the judge chooses to do is guided by their sworn obligation to sentence the individual before them thoughtfully, dispassionately, and proportionately, and not in response to, or in fear of, how that decision may be perceived by those who are not under that same sworn obligation.”
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