Louisville officials have sharply criticized a Jefferson County judge’s decision to reduce a convicted rapist’s sentence to less than half of what a jury recommended, sparking a new discussion over judicial discretion.
In December, 24-year-old Christopher Thompson was found guilty of robbery, kidnapping, and sodomy. According to the prosecution, he abducted a woman in 2023, repeatedly sexually assaulted her, and had her take money from an ATM while brandishing a gun before attacking her once more. A sentence of 65 years was suggested by a jury.
Tracy Davis, a Jefferson Circuit Judge, however, gave Thompson a 30-year prison term. Due to his actions in court, she also sentenced him to an extra four years and 120 days in prison for several counts of criminal contempt.
Thompson repeatedly cursed and threatened the bench during sentencing.
“Before we even get appearances, Mr. Thompson, I’m going to need you to be respectful,” Davis told him.
Thompson responded with vulgar remarks and threats, including telling the judge to “eat a d***” and saying, “If I could spit on you, I would.” The outbursts continued through much of the hearing.
Why the judge sentenced Thompson to 30, not 65 years
Despite the disruptions, Davis said her decision was based on Thompson’s background and circumstances, not his courtroom behavior.
“Mr. Thompson never actually got the opportunity to get any type of treatment,” Davis said, referencing mental health and anger management services. “Unfortunately, he fell through the cracks and ended up in this court.”
She also stated in court, “Regardless of what the media thinks, regardless of what anyone thinks, I apply the law. I do not judge people before they walk before me.”
According to court documents, Thompson has a criminal past. He was accused of using restricted ammunition, having a stolen firearm, and evading police in 2023. He was photographed assaulting an officer at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections while he was incarcerated for that offense. According to the documents, Thompson put the officer in a headlock, which resulted in facial abrasions. He was also accused of choking an officer in December.
Public officials respond
Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerina D. Whethers called the sentence “disappointing,” saying a severe threat to the public should be removed for as long as possible.
Republican members of Louisville Metro Council have been especially vocal. Councilman Anthony Piagentini said the ruling showed “a disdain for the jury process.” He also announced plans to publish judicial records online to provide voters with more information about sentencing decisions.
“We have asked for judicial transparency,” Piagentini said. “We’re going to be asking questions of the clerk of the court, get the data, and get it out to the voters.”
Councilwoman Crystal Bast criticized the decision, saying, “And I am beyond pissed that this judge did this. What example does that set?”
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg also expressed disappointment.
“I’m disappointed in that change of the sentence,” Greenberg said. “I think it’s very important for individuals to be held accountable when they commit violent crimes, and I think it’s important to respect the jury process as part of that.”
Not everyone has been critical of the decision. Sentencing decisions are complicated and shouldn’t be influenced by public pressure or emotion, according to former prosecutor and judge David Holton.
“It’s not all black and white,” Holton said. “It’s not an easy job, but I trust Judge Davis.”
Holton added that courtroom outbursts should not influence a judge’s ruling. “You base your sentence on the charges, not on the outburst in the courtroom,” he said. “Unless you know everything about the case, people need to step back and look in the mirror.”
Jefferson County Court Administrator McKay Chauvin said Judge Davis is ethically prohibited from commenting publicly on matters before the court.
“When a jury recommends a sentence, the judge, by law, cannot increase the penalty but has the option to accept it, reject it, or lower it,” Chauvin said. “What the judge chooses to do is guided by their sworn obligation to sentence the individual before them thoughtfully, dispassionately, and proportionately, and not in response to, or in fear of, how that decision may be perceived by those who are not under that same sworn obligation.”
Under the current sentence, Thompson will not be eligible for release until he is more than 50 years old.
This article appears in Jan 1-31, 2026.