By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-906294.mp3
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- – Kentucky Public Radio has learned a parole hearing could be held in early August for Burgess Harrison Yonts of Greenville.
Yonts, son of state Rep. Brent Yonts, is serving time for a November 2005 hit-and-run accident that killed Murray State graduate student Nadia Shaheen.
Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate ruled Yonts has served the 20 percent of his commuted sentence required by law, and is eligible to seek parole. The state says the ruling will not be appealed.
Jennifer Brislin of the Justice Cabinet says Yonts is tentatively scheduled for a parole hearing on August 3rd.
"We have 45 to 90 days to notify the victims and the victims' families, the commonwealth's attorneys, and schedule a victim's hearing if those individuals want that set up."
The hearing will be held at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex, where Yonts is incarcerated.
Yonts originally received a 20-year sentence, which was commuted to eight years by former Gov. Ernie Fletcher, on Fletcher's last day in office.