Stumbo calls for stricter domestic violence law

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A woman gunned down outside her Lexington home, allegedly by a former state lawmaker, would have had a “fighting chance” if a proposal allowing courts to force some domestic violence offenders to wear ankle bracelets were in effect, a top state lawmaker said.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo told a legislative panel his plan is aimed at alerting potential domestic violence victims to when they’re in imminent danger. Tracking devices would monitor their would-be attackers and send a signal when certain preset boundaries are breached, Stumbo said.

“If the legislature adopts this law, help’s on its way,” Stumbo told reporters after a Friday hearing. “We can stop homicides resulting from domestic violence in probably all but the most extreme cases.”

The proposal was prompted by the Sept. 11 shooting death of Amanda Ross, 29. Authorities say she was shot to death by one of Stumbo’s previous House colleagues, former state Rep. Steve Nunn, in an early morning attack.

Nunn and Ross had been engaged and lived together, until she got a domestic violence protective order against him. Nunn has pleaded not guilty.

Nunn is the son of former Republican Gov. Louie Nunn, and served in the legislature for 15 years.