Man convicted of homicide and rape up for parole
SOUTH LEBANON
A man in prison for a gruesome murder and rape that happened 40 years ago now has a chance for parole.
Loved ones of the victim, Arnold Davis, are working to make sure Kenneth Sandlin remains locked up for life in Warren County.
Davis was killed by Sandlin in 1978.His girlfriend was raped several times. It happened as Davis was leaving a local movie theater after an evening out.
Headlines from the 1970s detail the homicide. Investigators say Kenneth Sandlin and Michael Barrett got into the couple's car. They stopped at a couple carry outs before they were told to head to a party. The party was a ruse, and instead, Davis was brutally stabbed, and his body was dumped in a well. His girlfriend was raped after she was forced to also stab her boyfriend's body.
"They stabbed my brother over 80-some times.And the autopsy report states, they stopped counting. So this wasn't a typical murder," Allen said.
Saturday, family members set up in South Lebanon to gather signatures on a petition to keep Sandlin locked up. He's eligible for parole this summer.
"They're asking people to come in and sign the petition, and the government to come in and help and do what is right, that's all the family is asking," James Powell of Morrow said.
Many stopped in the middle of the street to give their support.
"Just total strangers have stopped by, people from other towns have stopped by to sign the petition," Darlene Gross of South Lebanon said.
Davis' sisters have not spoken publicly about the homicide until now because of the pain and hurt it still causes.
"We are his voice, and I will fight, and I will do what we have to do to see that we do all we can do to keep him where he belongs," said he victim's sister, Sheryl Allen.
"He should stay there for our safety, for her safety, and for everyone's safety.Who knows what this man will do again," Rosalie Allen said.
Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell is urging people to contact the parole board to keep Sandlin incarcerated.
Send comments to the parole board here.
Friends said they collected more than 100 signatures Saturday, adding to the hundreds they already have.
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