COVINGTON, Ky. – A man who was given the death penalty for the 1988 kidnapping, rape, and murder of a Covington woman is fighting for parole after former Gov. Matt Bevin reduced his sentence, sparking controversy and outrage from the victim’s family.
Greg Wilson, now 67, is set to appear before the state parole board for the first time on Jan. 22 for the murder of Deborah Pooley. Wilson’s death sentence was commuted to life with the possibility of parole by Bevin just before leaving office in 2019, a decision that sparked backlash and criticism.
The controversy surrounding Bevin’s decision to commute Wilson’s sentence has raised questions about the legal system and the impact of such actions on the families of the victims. Pooley’s nieces are among those who adamantly oppose Wilson’s parole, fearing for their safety if he is released.
Kenton Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders, who continues to advocate against Wilson’s release, expressed disappointment that the commutation did not result in a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
In addition to the murder of Deborah Pooley, Wilson has a prior criminal history, having spent 12 years in an Ohio prison before the rape and murder of Pooley. He had been released from prison less than a month before abducting Pooley.
Wilson’s potential release has ignited public concern, with an online petition gathering over 6,600 signatures urging authorities not to grant parole. Sanders emphasized the significance of such public support in shaping decisions about parole for individuals convicted of such heinous acts.
The case has also shed light on the intertwined fate of Brenda Humphrey, Wilson’s girlfriend and co-conspirator in Pooley’s murder. Humphrey was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole and was released in 2017 after serving 28 years behind bars.
Despite impassioned efforts to oppose the parole of Greg Wilson, the case serves as a reminder of the complicated and emotional nature of legal proceedings involving violent crimes. The fate of Wilson continues to be a point of contention, with the parole board set to weigh in on a decision that will have significant implications for the victim’s family and the community.