FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18/Sentinel Echo) — Gov. Matt Bevin issued at least 15 pardons Friday including one for a Laurel County man convicted of wanton murder in 2015.
Bevin issued an unconditional pardon for Justin Derrick Wibbels.
According to the Sentinel Echo, Wibbels was involved in a 2014 crash that resulted in the death of Windstream employee Jerry Thompson. According to investigators, Wibbels hit Thompson's company vehicle head-on.
The jury ruled that Wibbels was guilty of wanton murder and imposed a 20-year sentence.
Gov. Matt Bevin disagreed that Wibbels was guilty of murder.
In his opinion, Bevin wrote, "Justin was involved in a tragic accident and has been incarcerated as a result of his conviction for wanton murder. This was not a murder."
As a result, Wibbels will have his rights and privileges restored in Kentucky.
