A convicted murderer in Laurel County, can now bond out of prison, just five months after he was sentenced to 20 years behind bars. A judge is willing to let Justin Wibbels out on bond, while his guilty verdict is being appealed.
It’s news that is upsetting to the victim’s family.
“I think it’s a slap in the face to my family, that’s what I think it is. And the justice system, as far as I am concerned, we don’t have one,” said Sharon Radford.
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Her brother, Jerry Thompson, was killed while driving to work near London, in June of 2014.
“Just a wonderful person. We feel like he was just snatched, just taken from us. Couldn’t say, we never got to say goodbye. It was just, awful,” said Radford.
Thompson was driving on Highway 30, just East of London at around 8 a.m. when he was killed. Investigators said 23-year-old Justin Wibbels was driving recklessly. They said Wibbels went into the wrong lane to pass some traffic, then periodically drove onto the shoulder to avoid oncoming drivers, such as Thompson.
“He wasn’t counting on my brother trying to get off the road, and get out of his way. And he, was going so fast. He hit my brother so hard,” said Radford.
In November of 2015, a jury decided Wibbels was at fault for Thompson’s death.
“Found guilty of murder. And the jury recommended 20 years, and that’s what he got, 20 years,” said Radford.
Then on Wednesday, a judge granted Wibbels a $50-thousand cash only, or $100-thousand property bond, pending an appeal. News, Thompson’s family was shocked to hear.
“He murdered our brother, and a murderer gets to walk around free? I don’t understand,” said Radford.
While Wibbels has yet to bond out of prison, this family says it won’t take long.
“He’s got plenty of family that would be willing to come up with that cash,” said Radford.
Now they’re begging for justice to be done, and asking the courts to consider this.
“Why should Justin be allowed to go on with his life, when my brother is not allowed to go on with his?” said Radford.
