Man pardoned by Fmr. Gov. Matt Bevin back in court
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kurt Smith, who was controversially pardoned by former Governor Matt Bevin in 2019, is facing new charges after allegedly attacking a woman in his Lexington home.
A preliminary hearing for Smith was held Wednesday. During his arraignment on Friday, a judge entered a not guilty plea on Smith’s behalf. Smith is accused of assaulting a woman on August 16th with a large hunting knife inside his residence on Georgetown Street.
According to police, the incident began after the woman allegedly discovered a large amount of blood in Smith’s bathroom. Smith then reportedly attacked her, causing severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and severe swelling to her eyes and head. After the attack, Smith allegedly dropped the victim off at the hospital using her vehicle. The victim was later able to identify Smith from a previous booking photo.
Smith’s criminal history is extensive. In 2020, he was arrested on charges of strangulation and assault. His record also includes a 2002 conviction for the murder of his six-week-old son when Smith was just 17 years old. Despite this, former Governor Matt Bevin pardoned Smith in 2019, a decision that sparked significant controversy.
The exact date of Smith’s next court appearance for these latest charges has not been disclosed.
