Kentucky Circuit Court Judge's Impeachment Tossed

Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd rules impeachment petition against Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Goodman is invalid.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 4:00pm

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Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd has thrown out the Kentucky House of Representatives' resolution impeaching Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Goodman, stating the impeachment petition filed by a political candidate 'makes no allegation of criminal conduct, violation of any civil or penal statute or regulation, and it does not set forth any statutory or regulatory violation allegedly committed by Judge Goodman.'

Why it matters

The impeachment of a sitting judge is a rare and serious matter, and Shepherd's ruling raises questions about the validity of the process and the motivations behind the impeachment effort, which was initiated by a political candidate rather than through the proper judicial oversight channels.

The details

In a 20-page opinion, Shepherd stated the impeachment petition filed by former state Rep. Killian Timoney, who is seeking to return to the House in the 2026 election, 'charges Judge Goodman with undefined judicial misconduct' in six cases, three of which are still pending. Shepherd noted that 'all of the charged judicial misconduct issues for which Judge Goodman is being impeached are legal questions which are subject to appellate review' and have not been submitted to the Judicial Conduct Commission as required.

  • The impeachment petition and resolution were filed on Tuesday.
  • Shepherd's opinion and order throwing out the impeachment was handed down on Tuesday.

The players

Phillip Shepherd

Franklin Circuit Judge who ruled the impeachment petition against Judge Goodman is invalid.

Julie Goodman

Fayette Circuit Judge who was the subject of the impeachment effort by the Kentucky House of Representatives.

Killian Timoney

Former state Representative who filed the impeachment petition against Judge Goodman as part of his campaign to return to the House in 2026.

Jason Nemes

Republican state Representative who has been named to prosecute the case against Judge Goodman in the Senate.

Mike Nemes

Republican state Senator and father of Representative Jason Nemes, who will be on the jury that tries Judge Goodman.

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What they’re saying

“The impeachment petition, filed by a partisan political candidate seeking election to the House of Representatives, makes no allegation of criminal conduct, violation of any civil or penal statute or regulation, and it does not set forth any statutory or regulatory violation allegedly committed by Judge Goodman.”

— Phillip Shepherd, Franklin Circuit Judge

“All of the charged judicial misconduct issues for which Judge Goodman is being impeached are legal questions which are subject to appellate review by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. None of the complaints about Judge Goodman's judicial rulings and conduct have ever been submitted to the Judicial Conduct Commission, as provided for in § 121 of the Ky. Constitution.”

— Phillip Shepherd, Franklin Circuit Judge

“Accordingly, Judge Goodman will be tried by a jury that includes the father of the chief prosecutor and the prime sponsor of the Articles of Impeachment. Even if Sen. Nemes recuses from participation in his son's prosecution of Judge Goodman, the jury in the Senate still would be composed of 37 senators who are all daily co-workers and close colleagues of the prosecutor's father. In any other trial, civil or criminal, such jurors would certainly be stricken from the jury pool for cause.”

— Phillip Shepherd, Franklin Circuit Judge

What’s next

The impeachment case against Judge Goodman will now proceed to trial in the Kentucky Senate, where she will be judged by a jury that includes the father of the chief prosecutor and the sponsor of the impeachment resolution.

The takeaway

This case raises serious concerns about the validity and fairness of the impeachment process, as the petition was filed by a political candidate rather than through proper judicial oversight channels, and the jury that will try Judge Goodman includes the family members of key figures in the prosecution.