Frankfort, October 17, 2025
News Summary
John ‘Brandon’ Lamotte has been exonerated after spending nearly nine years in prison for the wrongful conviction of the 2017 stabbing of his neighbor, Kate Sanders. The Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the appeals court’s decision to reverse his conviction, citing a lack of evidence and multiple recantations from the key witness. This case highlights significant flaws in the judicial process and emphasizes the need for reforms to avoid wrongful convictions in the future.
Frankfort
John “Brandon” Lamotte, a resident of Frankfort, has been exonerated after spending nearly nine years in prison for a wrongful conviction concerning the 2017 stabbing of his neighbor and friend, Kate Sanders. The Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the reversal of Lamotte’s conviction on October 15, 2025, thereby affirming an earlier decision by the Kentucky Court of Appeals made in 2023.
The circumstances of the case began when Sanders reported to emergency responders that her ex-boyfriend had attacked her. She associated him with a history of violence. However, during the course of the investigation, the focus shifted to Lamotte, who is African-American and lived next door to Sanders. At trial, Sanders testified that Lamotte was her attacker—testimony that led to his conviction for first-degree assault in 2019.
As a result of the trial, Lamotte was sentenced to 11 years in prison, maintaining his innocence throughout his incarceration. In the years following the trial, Sanders recanted her testimony multiple times, including on social media, where she expressed regret for sending an innocent man to prison.
Lamotte’s legal team, comprised of the Exoneration Project and the Kentucky Innocence Project, sought to vacate his conviction based on Sanders’ recantation and other pieces of evidence that they claimed had been withheld during the original proceedings. A circuit court denied Lamotte’s motion to vacate in 2020, but the Kentucky Court of Appeals overturned the conviction in 2023, citing a lack of solid evidence to support the guilty verdict.
Despite the Court of Appeals’ decision, Lamotte remained incarcerated for an additional two years because the Commonwealth appealed the ruling. In March 2025, the appeals court upheld its prior decision, providing an extensive 70-page opinion detailing the reasons for its ruling.
Franklin County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Larry Cleveland, stated that Lamotte was convicted by a jury of twelve based on their belief that he had committed the crime “beyond a reasonable doubt,” but the Appeals Court pointed out the absence of serious physical injury to substantiate the conviction.
This case underscores several systemic flaws that can lead to wrongful convictions, emphasizing the importance of revisiting evidence and witness statements in order to prevent tragic mistakes in the justice system.
Key Developments in the Case
- Initial conviction in 2019 for first-degree assault based on eyewitness testimony.
- Sanders recanted her testimony multiple times, claiming Lamotte was innocent.
- Kentucky Court of Appeals reversed conviction in 2023, citing lack of evidence.
- Supreme Court upheld Appeals Court ruling in October 2025.
Implications of the Case
The successful exoneration of Lamotte raises awareness about potential flaws in the judicial process, particularly concerning how witness testimony and evidence are evaluated. It highlights the need for ongoing reforms to ensure that wrongful convictions are minimized.
FAQs
Why was John “Brandon” Lamotte imprisoned?
Lamotte was imprisoned for nearly nine years following a conviction for first-degree assault, based on eyewitness testimony claiming he stabbed his neighbor, Kate Sanders.
What led to Lamotte’s exoneration?
Lamotte’s exoneration was prompted by multiple recantations from Sanders, coupled with evidence that emphasized the lack of significant physical injury to her, leading judicial bodies to find insufficient evidence for the original conviction.
What does this case reveal about the justice system?
This case highlights systemic flaws that can lead to wrongful convictions and the necessity for ongoing examination and reform of legal practices to ensure fair treatment in the judicial system.
Chart: Key Features of the Case
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Conviction | 2019 for first-degree assault |
| Sentence | 11 years |
| Recantation | Multiple recantations by Kate Sanders |
| Court Rulings | Kentucky Court of Appeals reversed in 2023; Supreme Court upheld in 2025 |
| Lawyers Involved | Exoneration Project and Kentucky Innocence Project |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Lex18: Frankfort Man Exonerated
- Wikipedia: Wrongful Conviction
- WKYT: Ky Man Exonerated
- Google Search: Wrongful Convictions
- Fox56 News: Frankfort Man Exonerated
- Google Scholar: Wrongful Conviction Reform
- Kentucky.com: Frankfort Man Exonerated
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Justice System
- Kentucky Lantern: Ky Would Begin Compensating
- Google News: Kentucky Exoneration
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