COVINGTON, Ky. – A man who was originally sentenced to death for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of a Covington woman in 1988 is now eligible for parole following a controversial decision by former Gov. Matt Bevin.
Greg Wilson, now 67, will appear before the state parole board on Jan. 22 for the murder of Deborah Pooley. His death sentence was commuted by Bevin to life with the possibility of parole before he left office in 2019, a decision that has sparked outrage among Pooley’s family and friends.
The parole issue has reignited painful memories for the nieces of the murdered woman, who are determined to keep Wilson behind bars. They have requested not to be identified by the media out of fear for their safety if Wilson is released.
Wilson’s case had been subject to multiple appeals, but the death sentence was upheld until Bevin’s controversial intervention. The former governor expressed doubt about Wilson’s legal representation, prompting his decision to commute the sentence.
Meanwhile, Kenton Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders plans to argue against Wilson’s parole, citing the 12 years Wilson spent in an Ohio prison prior to the rape and murder of Pooley. Wilson had been released from prison less than a month before abducting Pooley, and had a history of criminal offenses, including 13 counts of rape in Ohio.
The community support for Pooley’s family in opposing Wilson’s parole has been significant, with an online petition garnering over 6,600 signatures urging against his release. According to Sanders, such public support often plays a crucial role in decisions regarding the fate of convicted individuals.
The gruesome details of Pooley’s abduction, rape, and murder in 1987 have left a lasting impact on the community. Wilson and his girlfriend, Brenda Humphrey, kidnapped Pooley from a parking lot near her home in Covington, raped and strangled her, and then dumped her remains in a field in Indiana. Humphrey was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole and was released in 2017 after serving 28 years behind bars.
The upcoming parole hearing for Wilson has sparked renewed outrage and grief for the family and friends of Deborah Pooley, who are determined to ensure that he remains incarcerated. The decision over Wilson’s potential release will echo beyond the parole board, continuing to stir debate and ethical considerations about justice and rehabilitation.