Push for ‘Angela’s Law’ continues in Kentucky

Rep. Samara Heavrin said the law would make the post-mortem rape of a murder or kidnapping victim eligible for the death penalty, which is what happened to 27-year-old Angela Kerr when she was killed in 2021. As of now, it is only punishable up to five years.

“The person, after she was murdered, raped her and video recorded it. And he did not get life in prison or, the death penalty,” said Heavrin.

After years of introducing the bill, it was never signed into law. With a recent discussion in a judicial meeting. Heavrin said it is a step forward in getting the bill passed.

“We got some really great feedback from members of some possible changes that we could make, but also, from the House chairman,” she explained. “So, I think that this year, with us having been in front of the Judiciary Committee during the interim, that this will really give us a chance to get this legislation through.”

Heavrin said she plans to file a new version of the bill when the legislative session begins in January 2026.