SCOTT COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18)– A Scott County man said that the woman serving a sentence for the murder of his sister has changed her mind about asking to get out of prison early.
The news that Dena Williams has filed a motion to withdraw her request for early release came as a relief to Chris Lyons and his family, but he says it doesn’t erase the anguish.
“At the same time, it still brings up more bad memories and stuff,” said Chris.
Williams was sentenced to 25 years for helping Roger McBeath Jr. carry out the 2004 murder of Chris’s sister Ashley Lyons.
Ashley was 18-years-old at the time of her death and was just a few months away from giving birth to a baby boy.
“At the end of the day, Ashley, she’s not getting a second chance and Landon never even had a chance,” Chris told LEX 18.
When he found out about Williams’ request, Chris asked those who knew Ashley to write a letter asking the judge not to grant the motion. He received hundreds of messages from people who wanted to share a letter.
“I want to thank everybody for showing Ashley and Landon support and supporting us and trying to keep her in there,” said Chris.
Although Williams is no longer requesting early release, Chris said the letters will not go to waste.
“Hopefully we can use those letters to keep her in there when she tries to go for parole,” he said.
Chris Lyons said that the next fight his family will face will be in 2021.
