Steve Nunn was a Republican state representative in Kentucky. His father was Governor Louis Nunn. He was elected 1990 and re-elected handily through 2004. He was unopposed from 1998 to 2004 but lost to a Democrat in 2006. He was appointed deputy secretary for Health and Human Services Cabinet by Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear.
In March 2009, he was placed on leave for a domestic violence incident with his former fiancée, Amanda Ross. She got an order of protection. In November 2009, he shot and killed her. The police found him at his father’s grave with his wrists slit. He shot at the police six times, but was taken into custody and sent to the hospital. When he recovered he was charged with her murder. Ironically, killing someone with a protective order carries the death penalty, the result of a bill he co-sponsored in 1998. He eventually pled guilty and was sentenced to life without parole. He was also ordered to pay over $24 million to her family. He collects his pension in prison.
It is stunning how desperately the news media tried to explain his reasons. There are allegations that his father abused his mother and he and his father were estranged. He murdered her because he blamed her for him losing his job when she got that protective order. That it was in response to his behavior seemed immaterial to him. See the ABC News report.
- ABC News: Revenge for Real, how did a promising legislator become a killer?
- Bowling Green Daily News: Steve Nunn charged with murder
- WDRB: Steve Nunn apologizes to the family of Amanda Ross for her death
06 Apr 2012
06 April 2012
