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Kentucky victims left in the dark on court notices about their offenders

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Kentucky victims left in the dark on court notices about their offenders


FRANKFORT, Ky. — On Thursday, July 18, lawmakers spoke with members of the state’s court system about an issue they say has been going on for three years.


What You Need To Know

  • Vine, or victim information and notification everyday, is a system Kentucky’s court system used for 14 years to notify victims about their offenders
  • The system is still used by the Department of Corrections to notify about incarceration status 
  • But it hasn’t been used for court hearings since 2021
  • Lawmakers said they were “dismayed” the system hasn’t been in use and urged for it to be fixed


Kentucky victims aren’t being notified about their offenders’ whereabouts in court.

Vine, or victim information and notification everyday, is a system Kentucky’s court system used for 14 years to notify victims about their offenders.

Judge Chris Cohron said during the committee meeting that in some situations, it has saved victim’s lives.

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“It is not unusual for me during a criminal docket to inquire of the commonwealth: has the victim been notified of this hearing? Is the victim aware of the resolution in this case? We’re wanting to make sure,” Cohron said.

The system is still used by the Department of Corrections to notify about incarceration status 

But it hasn’t been used for court hearings since 2021. Katie Comstock,executive director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, said that’s because, at the time, her office became concerned about allowing Appriss access to all court data.

Appriss, which administered the program, has since been bought by Equifax.

“We help victims and their families become safer and more informed through timely offender release, court cases and protective order notifications,” said Ali Mock, director of government relations for Equifax.

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Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, questioned Comstock about what they delay has been on getting a notification system up and running.

“At the end of the day, this is now three years the court system has decided to stop notifying our people. It’s their responsibility to do it and they’re not doing it,” Nemes said. “This is a problem that should have been fixed. It has not been fixed. I don’t know how much more we can express our dismay.”

Comstock said the office of the courts has had recent discussions with Equifax about a path forward to start notifying again victims about court hearings.

Equifax says it could have the system up and running in 45 days if it’s allowed access to data. Comstock said it would cost $500,000 for a one time implementation fee, and another $360,000 for a service fee for the first 12 months.

“I want to emphatically reiterate that our organization does not retain search history, or engage in any unauthorized use of registered victim information,” said Jarrod Carnahan, vice president of government and Victim Services for Equifax.

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However, the Kentucky Prosecutors Advisory Council is also working on its own case management system. Comstock said it might be better for the courts to rely on this system.

“The prosecutors’ new system, it’s undoubtedly an option for providing court notification to victims. We already share many data points with prosecutors,” Comstock said.

Currently, prosecutors are notifying victims themselves through phone calls and texts.

“As a case manager, calling folks on a regular basis can get tedious, and so if there is a way we can expedite making sure there is some type of automated system,” said Rep. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville.

Members of the committee agreed it’s not the most efficient use of time.

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Equifax says, in 2023, individuals conducted more than 1.2 million searches using Kentucky Vine. And more than 200,000 people registered for notifications.

 



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Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in backyard

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Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in  backyard


A Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using abortion pills and burying the fetus in a Christmas-wrapped lightbulb box in her backyard — when she got pregnant following an affair.

Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested Wednesday after going to a Campton health care clinic, where she told staff members she used medication purchased online to end her pregnancy, which is illegal in the state, according to Kentucky State Police, FOX 56 reported.

Police said Spencer allegedly admitted to taking the pills on Dec. 26 and burying the fetus — described as a “developed male infant” — two days later in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road home.

Melinda Spencer, 35, was charged with fetal homicide after taking abortion pills to end her pregnancy in Kentucky, where that is illegal. Kentucky State Police

After obtaining a search warrant, cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag, court documents showed.

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Spencer later confessed that she allegedly ordered the pregnancy-ending drugs after conceiving with a man who was not her boyfriend, claiming she didn’t want him to find out, police said, per the outlet.

Authorities said she wanted to “abort the fetus on her own.”

Cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag in her backyard. AP

It’s unclear how long she was pregnant before taking the pills.

An autopsy has reportedly been scheduled to establish how developed the fetus was.

In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are illegal, with a doctor only authorized to perform one to prevent death or serious injury to the mother.

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The deadly offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. Getty Images

There are no exceptions for rape or incest.

State law also bars the distribution of abortion medication.

Spencer was charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree promoting contraband, the outlet reported.

The homicide offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. She also faces life behind bars if convicted.

Spencer is being held at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.

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Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience

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Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience


LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.

Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.

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Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.

“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.

After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.

Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.

“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.

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No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.

Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.

“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.

Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.

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3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County

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3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County


GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.

“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.

According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.

NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.

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Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.





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