A rare death penalty case in Northern Kentucky: Today's top stories | Daily Briefing

Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·2 min read
John Gentry, 37, appears in court with his attorneys Bridget Hofler, left, and Josh Miller at the Boone County Justice Center in Burlington, Ky., for a hearing on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. Gentry is charged with the murder and is if convicted is facing the death penalty.
John Gentry, 37, appears in court with his attorneys Bridget Hofler, left, and Josh Miller at the Boone County Justice Center in Burlington, Ky., for a hearing on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. Gentry is charged with the murder and is if convicted is facing the death penalty.

Happy Tuesday. I'm Quinlan Bentley, and I cover courts and crime in Northern Kentucky.

Death sentences in the commonwealth are rare, with trials being lengthy, costly and complicated. So when a death penalty trial does happen, riveting legal arguments arise.

That's what is taking place in Boone County. John Gentry, a Black man facing the death penalty in connection with the killing of his white ex-girlfriend, is arguing that racist responses to a social media post show he won’t be able to get a fair trial there.

Gentry’s argument brings up widespread racial prejudice in the community, as well as issues of bias inherent within Kentucky’s death penalty system.

If his argument is accepted, Gentry could have his trial held in a different county. Read more about this case and the arguments in my latest story here.

What else you need to know Tuesday, Feb. 27

⛈️ Weather: High of 66. Cloudy and warm with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm.

🍺 Cincinnati's Favorite Beer nominations are open! Here's how to get a brew onto the bracket.

⚖️ Biden's FTC sues to kill Kroger takeover of Albertsons.

⚾ Union boss questions former Reds star's absence: 'Game better with Joey Votto in it.'

🍽️ West Side dining options expand as 2024 sees 3 new restaurants open.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: A rare death penalty case in Northern Kentucky | Daily Briefing