Breaking News: Former Lawmaker/Kentucky Governor Candidate And Son Of Kentucky Governor Louie B. Nunn, Steve Nunn Pleads Guilty To Amanda Ross' Murder, Gets Life Imprisonment Without Parole. My Heart Breaks For All Involved -- Steve Is A Friend.

Steve Nunn pleads guilty to murder charge Tuesday
By Jennifer Hewlett

Former state lawmaker Steve Nunn

pleaded guilty to murder with aggravating circumstances in the 2009 death of Amanda Ross

in Lexington.

Nunn, who was set to go on trial in August, entered the plea Tuesday morning in Fayette Circuit Court. He waived formal sentencing and Judge Pamela Goodwine sentenced Nunn to life without parole.

He also was given 12 months for violating a domestic violence order of protection. That sentence is to run concurrently.

When Goodwine asked Nunn if he was guilty of the charges Nunn said "yes ma'am" in a quiet voice.

Afterward, Nunn's attorneys, Warren Scoville said first-degree manslaughter was the best case scenario and with that charge he would have still spent the rest of his life in prison.

"When we got closer to trial I think we scored some points with our (extreme emotional disturbance) defense," he said.

Scoville said he has handled seven death penalty cases.

"I love Steve Nunn; I've known him for 20 years," Scoville said. "He's taking it like a man. He is a good man. Good people sometimes do bad things."

Scoville said that Nunn had the greatest respect for the Ross family. He said that Amanda Ross' mother, Diana, agreed with the plea.

The Commonwealth objected to Nunn being sentenced Tuesday, because they wanted victim impact statements to be made.

Scoville said those could be entered into the court record. Scoville asked that Nunn be sent to LaGrange right away. He said he had minor medical issues.

When asked for comment, Ray Larson just walked by.

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/06/28/1792361/steve-nunn-pleads-guilty-in-court.html#ixzz1QZwM4BjZ