LEXINGTON (KY)
WTVQ
Kevin Justus
WTVQ Action News 36
Oct 21, 13:36 PM EDT
A sordid case of crime, sex and murder came to a close today.
The case is over but the judge's decision in the case came as quite a surprise to the prosecution.
A Fayette County Judge Greg Payne sentenced Jason Russell to 30 years in prison for the murder of a former priest Joseph Pilger.
That decision surprised prosecutors who had recommended life in prison without parole.
The judge said he considered all the facts, and decided life in prison was too severe.