The Louisville man who pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and murder of a four year old boy has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors sought the death penalty for Cecil New, who abruptly pleaded guilty to the 2007 killing of Ivan Cano as his trial was to begin two months ago. But Judge Judith McDonald-Burkman said the life sentence was a harsher punishment for New, adding that he would have more protections as a Death Row inmate. "I hope that you will find some comfort knowing that the only human contact that Cecil New will have for the rest of his life will be with bigger, meaner men who have nothing to lose or who are armed. That he will live in fear every day," the judge told Ivan's parents during Friday's sentencing. Ivan’s parents did not comment publicly after the sentencing said through a spokesperson that death would have been the appropriate punishment, although they understood the judge’s decision. New will serve his sentence at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.