(WKYT) – Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 422, known as Logan’s Law, into law on Thursday.
The bill is named after Logan Tipton, a 6-year-old from Versailles who was killed in his home in 2015. Logan’s father, Dean Tipton, was present at the signing.
“I wasn’t going to rest until it was law,” Tipton said.
Ronald Exantus was charged in Logan’s death and found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. He was convicted on three other assault charges for stabbing other members of the family.
“My kids watched it, they know who killed him, they know the man killed him and whether you’re insane or not, you need to pay your prices,” Tipton.
Exantus was initially released under mandatory reentry supervision, but later ordered to serve out the remainder of his sentence after violating the conditions of his release.
One sponsor of the bill, Representative T.J. Roberts, says it was important to him to tighten the laws on mandatory reentry supervision and pleas of mental illness.
He says the bill supported families like Logan Tipton’s.
“Where the monster who killed Logan was somehow, according to the jury, insane for the murder of Logan Tipton but sane for the non-fatal stabbing of everyone else, it didn’t stand logic,” Roberts said.
Sentencing and parole changes
Logan’s Law will toughen sentencing and parole requirements, including requiring those with life sentences to serve at least 30 years before receiving parole. The bill will also reform mandatory reentry supervision and require those who committed a violent felony with multiple victims to serve the sentences consecutively for each victim.
The bill would also eliminate split verdicts on mental illness or guilt.
House Bill 422 passed through Kentucky’s House of Representatives 93-1 in February before heading to the Senate floor.
Beshear said the bill will “strengthen sentencing and parole laws to make our commonwealth safer and ensure Logan’s legacy lives on forever.”
“We can make sure that their legacy matters and that the public knows that our government takes their safety and security seriously,” Roberts said.