White Family Heartbroken After Parole Board Releases Black Murderer

WLWT
October 29, 2014

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Kimberly Sipe was choked to death and drowned by her Black boyfriend.

A Newport family is heartbroken again after the man who killed a young mom is set to walk out of prison any moment.

For the second time Reggie Graves is being granted parole by the Kentucky Parole Board.

Graves was convicted of choking and drowning 24-year-old Kimberly Sipe, the mother of his newborn baby girl.

Six days after giving birth to their baby girl, her body was found floating in the Licking River.

“It’s like their slapping him on the wrist for murdering my sister, like they’re rewarding him to get out and go hurt someone else,” said Sipe’s sister Carla Jones. “How do you even consider even letting this man go free after 16 years how do you let this man after he murdered my sister with no regrets he did it — just walked away from her like she was a piece of garbage.”

For the second time, Reggie Graves was granted parole Monday, just 16 years into his 55-year sentence. The Kentucky Parole Board first granted his parole in July, but Sipe’s family wasn’t notified of the hearing.

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Reggie Graves was sentenced to 55 years but is now being let out after only serving 16 years.

Her family finally made their case on why he should stay locked up last week.

“I think it was nonsense for them to put us through it again, they did it, they had us talk to them again, just to cover their butts because they messed up, it wasn’t about us, it was about them,” said Jones.

The parole board has set conditions for Graves’ parole.

Graves must stay out of Kenton County and the adjoining counties and he cannot have contact with the victim’s family. He must follow Substance Abuse Program after-care recommendations, and must seek mental health evaluation in the community and follow all recommendations.

But the family said that’s little comfort for them.

“He took her life, why wouldn’t he take ours,” said Jones.

Kimberly Sipe had just given birth when the Black father killed her.
Kimberly Sipe had just given birth when the Black father killed her.