The death penalty is still on hold in Kentucky, at least for now.

That's according to Franklin Circuit Judge Philip Sheppard, who this week declined to remove a court injunction that has blocked executions in the state for nearly 15 years.

His decision is in response to Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman's request for the injunction to be lifted.

Appearing in court last week, Coleman's office argued a recent change to Kentucky's capital punishment agreement brings the state into compliance with the final lingering concern raised by the 2010 injunction.

But in his ruling, Judge Sheppard noted the plaintiff, who originally sought the injunction inmate Gregory Wilson, had his death sentence commuted by former Republican Governor Matt Bevin.

The judge wrote, quote, Because the death warrant against plaintiff Wilson no longer exists and the regulations have been amended, the court can see no reason to address the issue of injunctive relief at this time, end quote.

We reached out to General Coleman for a comment.

In a statement, he said, quote, Our office is working quickly to appeal the Franklin Circuit Court's order so we can uphold the law as passed by the General Assembly and deliver justice for victims and their families, end quote.

Two bipartisan bills that sought to abolish the death penalty in Kentucky were introduced during the 2024 General Assembly.

Both failed to gain traction.