A former University of Kentucky student seen in a viral 2022 video using racial slurs and kicking another student who was sentenced to 12 months in jail last October has requested early release, according to court documents.
In a motion filed Tuesday, Sophia Rosing, a senior at UK at the time of the incident, petitioned Fayette Circuit Court to suspend the rest of her sentence and place her on probation.
Fayette Commonwealth Attorney Daniel Whitley argues the request, made through a "shock probation" motion -- which allows nonviolent and low-risk offenders to petition for release after a certain amount of time served -- follows Rosing's dedication to "personal growth and accountability" and suffering of "tremendous personal and professional consequences" since the incident.
Whitley says Rosing's "continued incarceration will not serve the best interests of justice, nor will it contribute to her rehabilitation" and requests she be released from jail on strict supervision with continued counseling like anger management, substance abuse education, racial sensitivity training and community service obligations.
Read more: Sophia Rosing: Former UK student sentenced after using racial slurs, assault
Rosing was previously sentenced to 12 months in jail by Fayette Circuit Court Judge Lucy Vanmeter with her charges running concurrently. She was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and pay a $25 fine after pleading guilty to multiple charges in August.
Her charges include four counts of fourth-degree assault, one count of disorderly conduct, and one count of alcohol intoxication, court records show.
The former UK student was previously seen in a viral video intoxicated and engaging in "racial slurs and offensive language" toward Kylah Spring, a first-year student from Memphis, according to a letter to students from UK President Eli Capilouto. Rosing repeatedly tried to hit and bite Spring and stumbled when Spring tried to put distance between them.
In a separate video, she grabbed a shopping cart from the lobby and attempted to push it toward Spring and another nearby person.
Capilouto released a statement a few days after the incident announcing Rosing would be permanently banned from campus and ineligible to re-enroll at the university.
"As a community working wholeheartedly to prevent racist violence, we also must be committed to holding people accountable for their actions. The processes we have in place are essential," he said.
Reporter Leo Bertucci contributed. Contact Marina Johnson at [email protected].