Judge Slashes Jury's Recommended Sentence for Violent Offender

Kentucky judge cites defendant's race in reducing sentence by more than half despite horrific crimes

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A judge in Kentucky reduced the 65-year prison sentence recommended by a jury for a 24-year-old man convicted of robbery, kidnapping, sodomy, and sexual abuse to just 30 years, citing the defendant's race as a young African-American male who has "experienced this in society." The defendant, Christopher Thompson, showed no remorse for his violent crimes against women.

Why it matters

This case has sparked outrage over the judge's decision to significantly reduce the sentence for a violent sexual predator, with critics arguing it represents a troubling trend of leniency toward certain offenders based on their race or background rather than the severity of their crimes.

The details

In December 2025, a Louisville jury found Christopher Thompson guilty of a series of violent sexual assaults and robberies against women. In one incident, Thompson kidnapped a woman at gunpoint, forced her to perform sexual acts, and then drove her to an ATM to withdraw $220 before assaulting her again. Despite the jury recommending a 65-year sentence, Judge Tracy Davis cited Thompson's race and claimed he had "experienced this in society" in reducing the sentence to just 30 years. Thompson showed no remorse, scoffing at the judge's comments.

  • In January 2024, Thompson was arrested after DNA evidence linked him to a horrific sexual crime and robbery in July 2023.
  • On February 2, 2026, the jury recommended a 65-year sentence for Thompson.
  • On February 2, 2026, Judge Tracy Davis sentenced Thompson to 30 years in prison, less than half the jury's recommendation.

The players

Christopher Thompson

A 24-year-old man convicted of robbery, kidnapping, sodomy, and sexual abuse against women.

Judge Tracy Davis

The judge who reduced Thompson's sentence from the jury's recommendation of 65 years to just 30 years, citing Thompson's race as a young African-American male.

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What they’re saying

“If you were to come in here, and instead of being hurt and angry, which is what this court hears, right, as a 20-year-old African-American male that has, you know, experienced this in society, And you would say, yes, this is the situation, this is who I am: I don't want to be this person anymore. I don't want to be in jail forever.”

— Judge Tracy Davis, Judge (WHAS 11)

“You can't tell me how I look at anything.”

— Christopher Thompson (WHAS 11)

What’s next

The decision by Judge Tracy Davis to significantly reduce the sentence for Christopher Thompson has sparked outrage, and it remains to be seen if the ruling will be appealed.

The takeaway

This case highlights concerns over judicial leniency towards certain offenders based on factors like race rather than the severity of their crimes, raising questions about equal justice under the law and the need for sentencing guidelines that focus on public safety and accountability rather than perceived societal biases.