Steve Nunn

Case record: Steve Nunn

Background

Stephen Rob Nunn, known as Steve Nunn, was born November 4, 1952, in Glasgow, Kentucky. He was the son of the late Kentucky Governor Louie B. Nunn and First Lady Beula Cornelius Aspley Nunn.

Nunn served as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and was a former Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from his native Barren County in southern Kentucky from 1980 to 2006.

Nunn unsuccessfully sought the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2003, finishing third to then-United States Representative Ernie Fletcher of Lexington, whom Nunn then supported. Former State Representative Bob Heleringer of Eastwood in Jefferson County ran as the lieutenant governor selection on Nunn's ticket. In the primary, Nunn received 21,167 votes (13.4 percent), but Fletcher led the three-candidate field with 90,912 (57.3 percent). Rebecca Jackson polled 44,084 (27.8 percent). Fletcher went on to win the position in the general election by defeating Democrat Attorney General Ben Chandler. Fletcher was the first Republican to be elected governor of Kentucky since Louie B. Nunn upset Henry Ward in November 1967.

On November 7, 2006, after fifteen years as a state representative, Nunn lost his bid for re-election to the Democrat Johnny Bell. Nunn polled 5,572 votes (46.7 percent) to Bell's 6,371 ballots (53.3 percent).

In September 2007, Nunn announced his support of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Steve Beshear, a former lieutenant governor who handily unseated Fletcher in his bid for re-election. On December 22, 2007, Beshear appointed Nunn as deputy secretary of Health and Family Services.

The offence

Amanda Ross, Nunn’s ex-fiancée, was found shot to death in the parking lot of the Opera House Square complex in Lexington on September 11, 2009.

Nunn pleaded guilty in Fayette Circuit Court in Lexington to Ross’s murder on June 28, 2011, and he received a life sentence for the crime. The related conduct also involved a violation of an emergency protective order described as a domestic-violence order.

Before the fatal shooting, Ross sought domestic-violence protections against Nunn. A protective order was in effect that ordered Nunn to have no contact with Ross and not possess a gun while the protective order was in effect.

Nunn also entered an Alford plea in August 2009 to a misdemeanor domestic violence assault charge, admitting no guilt but acknowledging there was enough evidence to produce a guilty verdict.

Investigation

In November 2009, Lexington police traced Nunn’s digital footprints as part of their investigation into the slaying of his ex-fiancée Amanda Ross. Police looked to see whether Nunn kept a photo of a naked Ross on his cell phone, following witness allegations. A judge had barred Nunn in July from having any nude photos of Ross as part of a domestic violence order against him.

Investigators found fliers depicting Ross naked along with "insulting verbiage," according to an affidavit on a search warrant. The fliers were found in a home in Barren County where Nunn had a home, and they "appeared to be designed for distribution," according to an affidavit on another search warrant. The document did not give the address of the house where the photos were found.

Police also checked for child pornography on Nunn’s computers, according to another search warrant affidavit.

Authorities sought electronic records and examined communications. Investigators sought e-mail and phone records to learn more about Nunn and Ross’s troubled relationship, and to see if cell phone tower data could track Nunn’s whereabouts on the day of Ross’s slaying.

Police used a search warrant to confiscate Ross’s Gateway laptop from her bedroom after her death.

Lexington police issued search warrants for Bluegrass Cellular records for Nunn’s cell phone, including the cell tower information, in the hours after Ross was fatally shot.

A Sept. 18 affidavit for a search warrant requested the phone records of Lexington attorney Masten Childers II, a former state official and friend of the Ross family. Childers told police that he and Ross were acquaintances and they had exchanged text messages throughout the evening before Ross’s slaying. The affidavit stated: "Mr. Childers had also received a text message from the victim at approximately 5:42 a.m. shortly before the shooting," and also stated that Childers declined to comment "out of respect for the family's privacy."

Investigators described that forensic computer analysis was being performed on laptop and desktop computers used by Nunn, as well as his cell phone, in search of digital files including "photographs and videos depicting the use of minors in a sexual performance," and e-mails, chat logs, instant messages or other communications that would show distribution of images depicting "any sexual performances," according to a Sept. 14 search warrant.

Authorities obtained Nunn’s e-mail records from the Glasgow Electric Power Board on October 1, and those messages were not entered into the public record. Police obtained e-mail correspondence between Ross and Nunn where they discussed their relationship and acts of violence. Police also looked at a "string of e-mails between the couple on Feb. 3, 2009." Both Nunn and Ross testified in a March 4 court hearing that the relationship had become particularly volatile around that time.

The arrest warrant signed Sept. 14 stated that Nunn told a Kentucky State Police trooper that because of the domestic violence order, which Ross received against him in March, he had lost his job as deputy secretary of the Health and Family Services Cabinet and "was at the end of his rope and wanted revenge." The warrant stated that he would not answer questions about whether he killed Ross.

Arrest and custody

On September 11, 2009, Amanda Ross, 29, was found shot to death shortly after 6:30 a.m. outside her home at Opera House Square townhouses in downtown Lexington. Witnesses reported hearing Ross scream "no" in the parking lot and then heard four to five shots. They saw a man run away, according to court documents.

State police found Nunn hours later in a Hart County cemetery where his father, former Republican Gov. Louie B. Nunn, and mother, Beula, are buried.

Nunn was holding a .38-caliber gun and fired it once into the air as six officers approached. Officers later found that he had cut his wrists.

Nunn was arrested and taken to a hospital in Bowling Green in fair condition from the wounds; the wounds were first considered to be self inflicted. He was later taken to the Hart County jail after having been discharged from the hospital.

Nunn was transferred to the Fayette County Detention Center.

He was charged with wanton endangerment of a police officer in connection with authorities arriving to arrest him after he reported that he had fired a .38-caliber handgun. He was later charged in Lexington with Ross’s murder and violating a protective order.

Trial

On September 14, Nunn was taken to the Hart County jail after having been discharged from the hospital. On the same day, Lexington police charged Nunn with Ross’s murder.

On September 17, Nunn was transferred to the Fayette County Detention Center.

The next day, he pled not guilty to the murder charges in Fayette District Court.

On November 10, 2009, Nunn was indicted on charges of murder and violating a protective order. Prosecutors intended to seek the death penalty.

On June 28, 2011, Nunn pled guilty in Fayette Circuit Court in Lexington to Ross’s murder and received a life sentence for the crime.

During the June 28, 2011 proceeding, Judge Pamela Goodwine asked Nunn whether he, in fact, committed the murder, and Nunn responded, "I did." Judge Goodwine asked whether Nunn had a statement, and defense attorney Warren Scoville responded, "We have nothing."

Nunn also pleaded guilty to violating an emergency protective order, or domestic-violence order, and was given a 12-month sentence, with the violation considered to be the "aggravator" in the murder case and the reason Nunn had been facing the death penalty. The sentences were to run concurrently.

Defense attorney Warren Scoville stated that the guilty pleas were made to avoid a possible death sentence for Nunn. Scoville also stated that he had the greatest respect for the Ross family. Amanda Ross’s mother, Diana, agreed with the plea.

Defense attorney Bette Niemi stated: "I think, as in most capital cases, plea negotiations probably started from the very beginning," and: "I think, one, he (Nunn) wanted to accept responsibility. And, two, I think a trial would have been extra painful for his family and Amanda Ross's family. I don't believe Steve Nunn wanted anybody to have to go through that."

After the hearing, Scoville stated: "When we got closer to trial, I think we scored some points with our (extreme emotional disturbance) defense," and he stated: "I loved Nunn and that Nunn was "taking it like a man." He said: "He is a good man. Good people sometimes do bad things," and: "I'm sure that you're well aware of the conditions in the Lexington jail, and I think with Steve Nunn's medical problems, he's best taken care of in a prison facility," and: "I'm sure that you're well aware of the conditions in the Lexington jail, and I think with Steve Nunn's medical problems, he's best taken care of in a prison facility," and: "I'm sure that you're well aware of the conditions in the Lexington jail, and I think with Steve Nunn's medical problems, he's best taken care of in a prison facility," and: "When we got closer to trial, I think we scored some points with our (extreme emotional disturbance) defense," and: "Scoville asked that Nunn be sent to the Kentucky State Reformatory at LaGrange right away, saying Nunn had minor medical problems that needed to be addressed," and: "I'm sure that you're well aware of the conditions in the Lexington jail, and I think with Steve Nunn's medical problems, he's best taken care of in a prison facility," and: "Scoville said after the hearing that a conviction on first-degree manslaughter was the best-case scenario for Nunn, and that even with that charge, Nunn would have spent the rest of his life in prison."

Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Larson did not provide a comment when asked. Dale Emmons, Ross family spokesman, stated: "Diana has a lot she'd like to say," and: "I think she's a little shell-shocked at the quick finality, or what seems to be quick, although it's been going on for months. It came to an end quicker than we thought it was going to. "There is some sense of relief that we now have some finality to this. We thought the marathon was going on for several more months." Emmons also thanked the commonwealth’s attorney for his professionalism and Goodwine for what Emmons called a "just sentence" for Nunn. Diana Ross stated that she was withholding comment until she finished her victim impact statement for the court record, and she stated: "the hurt that has been put upon our family."

Sentencing

On June 28, 2011, Judge Pamela Goodwine sentenced Nunn to life in prison without the possibility of parole for Ross’s murder, after Nunn pleaded guilty to intentional murder with an aggravating circumstance. Nunn also pleaded guilty to violating an emergency protective order and received a 12-month sentence, and the sentences were to run concurrently.

The case record described that Ross’s family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Nunn.

Appeals

No appeal information was provided.

Outcome

Nunn was sentenced to life in prison without parole on June 28, 2011, after pleading guilty to the murder of Amanda Ross.

Aftermath

A wrongful-death lawsuit was filed by the Ross family against Nunn. Nunn was also described as being eligible to receive his full state pension of $28,210 annually when he turned sixty-two on November 4, 2014, based on legislative and executive department service, unless he committed a crime while in office as a legislator.

Other details

Nunn and Amanda Ross began dating in September 2007. Nunn moved into her home in March 2008 and moved out in October 2008 shortly after they became engaged because the "relationship had deteriorated," according to Nunn. They remained in contact.

In February 2009, Ross alleged that Nunn struck her in the face four times, threw her against a lamp breaking it, and then threw a cup of bourbon in her face.

Nunn said during a hearing on the matter that Ross blocked his path to prevent him from leaving her home and that he struggled for 20 minutes to reach the stairs. Nunn stated Ross was "strong like a bull" because she worked out with a personal trainer twice a week. Nunn also said Ross threw him into the lamp and made him vacuum up the mess. He said Ross offered to let him leave if he let her strike him in the face, and he said she cut his face with her ring.

Ross’s domestic violence complaint stated: "I called police because this has happened many times before."

The day after the domestic violence petition was filed, Nunn was placed on unpaid administrative leave from his job as deputy secretary of the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Nunn resigned from the post in March.

Nunn was ordered to have no contact with Ross for a year and not possess a gun while the protective order was in effect.

The chronology of the case also described that in September 2009 Ross told her supervisor, Department of Insurance Commissioner Sharon Clark, that Nunn was going to kill her.

Nunn was ordered to undergo a mental evaluation after a motion. Defense attorney Warren Scoville asked that his client undergo a mental evaluation to determine whether he was competent to assist in preparations for his criminal trial. The motion stated: "his physical and mental health have deteriorated to a point that he is unable at this time to assist in the preparation of his defense." Judge Pamela Goodwine ruled that the evaluation should occur as soon as possible.

Nunn was evaluated in January at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center in LaGrange and was found competent.

Nunn was placed in protective custody in the Fayette County jail after he allegedly was threatened by another inmate on June 6, 2011.

After Ross’s death, police used a search warrant to confiscate Ross’s Gateway laptop from her bedroom. In the hours after Ross was fatally shot, Lexington police issued search warrants for Bluegrass Cellular records for Nunn’s cell phone, including cell tower information.

The timeline also described: 2005 Steve Nunn and Amanda Ross met when Ross’s father, Terrell Ross, hired Nunn to do consulting work for his financing firm, Ross Sinclaire. Terrell Ross died in October 2006. On Sept. 11, 2009 Ross, 29, was found shot to death outside her home at Opera House Square townhouses in downtown Lexington, and hours later Nunn was arrested at the edge of the Hart County cemetery where his parents are buried after he had slit his wrists after placing mementos on his parents’ graves, officers said.

On Sept. 14, 2009 Nunn was charged with murder and violation of a protective order.

On Sept. 28, 2009 the family of Ross filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Nunn.

In October 2009, Greg Stumbo filed a bill, dubbed "Amanda's Bill," for the 2010 General Assembly to allow a court to impose electronic monitoring as a condition of bail for a person charged with domestic violence or violation of a protective order, with victims allowed to wear a device to alert them when the person with the order came within a certain distance.

On Dec. 14, 2009 Nunn's attorney Warren Scoville asked that his client undergo a mental evaluation.

On Dec. 18, Judge Pamela Goodwine ruled that the evaluation should occur as soon as possible.

On April 6, 2010 Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Larson said his office had "filed a notice of aggravating circumstance and notice of intent to seek the death penalty in the Nunn case."

On April 14, 2010 the Senate and House voted unanimously to approve "Amanda's Bill" to allow judges to order electronic monitoring in domestic-violence cases if certain violations of protective orders occurred, such as assault, burglary or kidnapping.

On Oct. 11, 2010 Goodwine set an August trial date.

On March 3, 2011 Nunn was admitted to the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center in LaGrange for a second evaluation.

On Nov. 10, 2009 Nunn was indicted on a murder charge, and the grand jury indicted Nunn for allegedly violating a domestic violence order of protection that Ross had filed against him. The indictment noted the violation was considered an "aggravating circumstance," allowing Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Larson to seek the death penalty.

Nunn’s attorney Warren N. Scoville could not be reached for comment regarding the digital investigation.

Witness reports described hearing Ross scream "no" in the parking lot and then hearing four to five shots, and seeing a man run away.

14 recorded Nunn’s statements about revenge and his job loss following the domestic violence order.