A judge has rejected an early release request from former University of Kentucky student Sophia Rosing, who remains behind bars after her viral racist outburst that shocked the campus community in 2022.
24-year-old Rosing made headlines when she was recorded shouting racial slurs and physically assaulting a black student worker.
The incident, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, showed an intoxicated Rosing directing the N-word at 19-year-old Kylah Spring during a late-night confrontation.
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Rosing’s attorney filed a “shock probation” request last month, arguing that his client had “dedicated herself to personal growth and accountability” while incarcerated.
The motion also claimed Rosing was experiencing “tremendous personal and professional consequences” for her actions, according to the Courier-Journal. However, the judge denied the request on Wednesday, stating that early release would “unduly depreciate the seriousness” of her offense.
The incident occurred on November 6, 2022, when Rosing, visibly intoxicated, verbally attacked Spring, who was working an overnight shift on the Lexington campus.
Video footage shows Rosing repeatedly using racial slurs, telling Spring to “do my chores,” and declaring, “it’s not my fault that you’re black.”
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When police arrived at the scene, Rosing’s aggressive behavior continued as she reportedly kicked and bit officers during her arrest.
The New York Post reported that in October 2023, Rosing accepted a plea deal on assault charges that included a 12-month jail sentence, 100 hours of community service and a $25 fine.
The University of Kentucky permanently banned Rosing from campus following the incident.
Reports indicate that jail officials have kept Rosing separated from other inmates due to concerns about potential retaliation over her comments, which reportedly included shouting the N-word more than 200 times during the series of drunken confrontations.
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Rosing pleaded not guilty but was indicted by a Fayette County grand jury back in February 2023.
Spring, who was in attendance for the guilty plea, told LEX 18 she and Rosing had an opportunity to talk during the mediation. “I told her that she didn’t break my spirit,” Spring revealed.
“That was one of the things I said the first time I ever spoke about what happened and that rings true today.”
She also told the outlet that she did not believe Rosing was remorseful of her actions, noting, “I feel that a person that is remorseful takes actions that are moving towards proving they are remorseful. Not just words.”
Spring also told the outlet in August 2024, “I think her admitting at least a piece of what she’s done — admitting the things she said and being able to own up to them, I think it’s going to follow behind.”
“Seeing yourself act in that light is not an easy thing to see, I imagine, so I guess there’s still a bit of maturing and unpacking she needs to do with that. So I’ll give her the space to do that.”
