LOUISVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18/WAVE) — The last-minute pardons and sentence commutations handed out by former governor, Matt Bevin, are still capturing headlines.
Now, the Courier-Journal is reporting the FBI is asking questions about the pardons.
As attorney general, Andy Beshear says his job was to give a voice to the voiceless and make sure victims had a seat at the table.
"And what we've heard and seen from some of these pardons is so unfortunate," said Beshear.
During a radio interview with Terry Meiners on WHAS last week, Bevin explained why he pardoned Micah Schoettle. He had been convicted of raping a 9-year-old girl. There were also questions about the girl's sister.
"These girls both were examined medically. They were examined physically. There was zero evidence. Zero. Both their hymens were intact," said Bevin on the interview.
"Anyone who has prosecuted a rape of a child, or has worked with the community that tries to lift up and protect, and heal that child afterwards, knows those comments are wrong, and they are not based in fact. I believe that pardon was wrong," said Beshear.
Beshear pointed to his work in the AG's office, where in four years he says they nearly tripled the number of child predators removed from communities.
He also made a promise of how he will carry out pardons as governor.
"I promise as governor, that I will always speak to any victims' family before we issue any type of pardon," said Beshear.
Some of the pardon decisions by Bevin have been questioned by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.
One Republican state senator plans to introduce a bill that would strip a governor of pardoning powers in the month before the next general election.
