Currently the longest continuously incarcerated woman in the state of Kentucky....since before...
Karen has been locked up since before...US worst drunk driving accident w/Larry Mahoney Carrollton, KY bus crash killing 27(24 kids) returning from church group trip to Kings Island who was later released in 1999 from a KY prison for receiving his GED & participation in prison programs...before it was no longer a misdemeanor to be gay in KY...before Presidents Bush, Clinton, GW Bush, Obama, Trump, Biden...
Ky Free Karen Brown #003554
Kentucky Free Karen Brown #003554
Who Will Speak For
Karen Brown?
The #KyFreeKarenBrown is a nationwide growing movement to advocate for the commutation of Karen Brown who is currently the longest continuously incarcerated woman in the State of Kentucky. Karen Brown was convicted of capital murder for her part in a 1986 'murder-for-hire' plot of Michael Turpin. A plot unbeknownst to her and a victim of the killer herself, she was present for a very traumatic tragedy that changed the course of many lives, including her own, in one single night.
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As an emerging adult of 21-yrs-old, when the crime occurred, Karen received a life sentence with the possibility for parole after 25 years. In 2021, after serving 35 years, Karen received a 'serve-out' to spend the rest of her natural life locked away with no more opportunities at freedom, short of clemency or additional court action.
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No reason was given for the 'serve-out' other than the nature of the crime which was never going to change. Prior to her incarceration she never had so much as a speeding ticket. Having been an outstanding student and athlete who suffered a significant injury Karen dropped out of college. She moved away from the small town in Kentucky where she had grown up to a more urban setting and larger college town where she landed amongst a crowd which led her to a more underground life experimenting with alcohol and drugs.
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The rehabilitation and true story of Karen Brown is one that would put to shame the previous attempts to sensationalize the false narratives. Karen, to this date, nearly 40 years later has had only one institutional ticket. As a Renaissance woman, Karen has completed over 100 programs. Karen is talented in both visual and musical arts. She has created numerous murals, paintings, and drawings. She has received 7 advanced degrees funded by her supporters, including a master's in education concentrated in counseling, has held numerous positions including 24-hr maintenance, chapel clerk, law library, braille program, has been active in the dog training programs and volunteers in the prison hospice (where she fears she will one day die). Karen has been a staple to the institution for 4 decades. She has helped launch many programs and continues to lead the prison music ministry and worship having done so for over a quarter century. Karen's contributions have not only benefitted those incarcerated but have positively impacted those of us who have been fortunate enough to have known her during those few short years of her life as a free woman as well as those she has met through correspondence, and volunteering/working at the institution.
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Today, Karen approaches her 40-year anniversary behind bars. We are reminded of that 21-year-old kid, full of energy, talent, and heart that became temporarily misguided and who continues to honor Michael's life by giving back to others. As the face of true restorative justice, we need to #KyFreeKarenBrown!
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MYth VS. Facts
MYTH: Karen Brown committed violent murder.
FACT: Karen was found guilty of complicity to murder. She did not commit a murder. She did not have or touch any weapons.
MYTH: Karen is requesting a pardon from the Governor.
FACT: Karen was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 25 years by a judge & jury. The KY Parole Board resentenced her to a "serve-out", which is a death by incarceration sentence. Karen is requesting a commutation, a reduction of that sentence, having served 40 years, has been rehabilitated through hard work & programs made available through the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
MYTH: Karen was in a relationship with Liz Turpin.
FACT: Karen knew Liz for only 2 months and 6 days, and despite a very public kiss, they were never in a sexual relationship with each other.
MYTH: Liz & Karen conspired to have Michael Turpin killed for the insurance money.
FACT: Karen had no idea of Liz's plans or intentions. At the time, Karen believed Liz was the victim of domestic violence and she was going to pick up clothes for Liz so she wouldn't have to risk further harm.
MYTH: Karen held Michael down while Keith stabbed him.
FACT: When Michael opened the door, killer Keith Bouchard testified he pushed Karen out of the way, began stabbing Michael, testifying himself that he tried to give Karen the knife to help but she refused. There was no blood found on her clothes and no fingerprints or physical evidence to prove Karen had assisted in that manner. Keith had bloodied clothes down to his underwear and on his shoes. Michael was over 6 ft. tall and struggling with Keith. If Karen had been holding him down as reported there would have been evidence of such. The forensic report at trial corroborates this statement. There was one footprint that belonged to Karen which she admitted being present after asking for an attorney and before that attorney was present.
MYTH: Karen refused to take a plea deal to testify against the actual killer, Keith Bouchard.
FACT: Karen knew nothing about a plea deal until after she was found guilty, sentenced and was in prison. Her trial attorney denied publicly but later admitted that he kept that information from Karen.
MYTH: Karen tried to obtain a gun that night so must have known what was going to happen.
FACT: Karen believed Liz Turpin was the victim of domestic violence and believed she needed "protection" when facing Michael to pick up her clothes. The person who testified did so in order to reduce his own drug charges.
MYTH: Karen refused to testify against her co-defendants on her own behalf.
FACT: Karen's trial attorney would not permit her to testify. Karen was 22 years old at the time of trial and did not realize she had that right.
FACT: Karen was given an evidentiary hearing where she was able to testify on her own behalf and present 17 witnesses over two and a half days resulting in an overturn of her conviction by the Honorable Judge Gary Payne. Another judge, with alleged ties to the original prosecuting attorney, trial judge and victim's family reversed that finding and swiftly retired with Karen remaining as 'property' of the state of Kentucky and currently the longest continuously incarcerated female in the state.
Some of the additional coursework since Karen's serve-out
