Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman says “Today, justice has been done” after life sentence in killing of Scott County deputy

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said Friday that “today, justice has been done” after a court accepted a plea that will keep the man convicted in the killing of Scott County Deputy Caleb Kenneth Conley in prison for the remainder of his life.

Coleman, who identified himself as the state’s chief law‑enforcement officer during a Georgetown press conference, said the outcome was reached after consultations with prosecutors, law enforcement and — critically — Conley’s family and victim‑advocacy staff. “This outcome ensures 0 risk,” Coleman said, adding, “The criminal who killed Deputy Connolly will spend the rest of his natural life in the custody of the Kentucky Department of Corrections.”

Why it matters: Coleman framed the plea as a way to protect the public while reducing further trauma to victims’ families. He praised the prosecutorial team, naming criminal chief Rhiwa Zakaria and Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird as leaders in the case and calling them “the best prosecutors in our Commonwealth.”

Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird said the plea and sentencing spare the families another trial and one more uncertain court appearance. “We hope that this plea and its sentencing today ... the families will have one less court appearance, one less court uncertainty, and just a little bit of peace and comfort to help them begin the healing process,” Baird said.

The attorney general repeatedly emphasized his office’s commitment to protecting law‑enforcement officers. “As long as I’m privileged to serve as attorney general of this Commonwealth ... if you harm a law enforcement officer ... we will use every tool in our legal toolkit,” Coleman said, adding the office would seek “the maximum penalty that the law allows.” He also said consultation with the family and victims’ advocates drove the decision not to pursue further litigation that could extend trauma for survivors.

Local leaders at the news conference echoed Coleman’s remarks. Scott County Sheriff Jeremy Nettles thanked Coleman’s office and victim‑advocates for the prosecution’s work and said the outcome gives the community hope. Former Scott County Sheriff and current state representative Tony Hampton praised department staff and community support in the years since the May 22, 2023 incident.

Several colleagues and attendees offered brief remembrances of Conley at the event, describing him as brave, dedicated and hardworking. Coleman noted acts of bystanders who stopped on the side of I‑75 to render aid following the incident.

The attorney general declined to dwell further on the defendant’s name during his remarks. He asked the media and public to refrain from amplifying the perpetrator’s identity and instead focus on honoring Conley and supporting the families affected.

The press conference closed with staff telling reporters they would distribute a written breakdown of the proceedings and a link to video of the event to media inboxes about 45 minutes later.

What comes next: Coleman framed the sentence as final in terms of public safety and said the defendant will remain in Kentucky Department of Corrections custody. No further trial for the events described was announced at the press conference.