We have noted, dozens of times, the McClatchy Mugshot Policy. Though I have never been able to find it officially published, when it was first emailed to McClatchy reporters and editors, a couple of the recipients sent it out via Twitter, which is the source of the image to the left, with the full text being printed in the footnote.^[1]McClatchy Mugshot Policy: Publishing mugshots of arrestees has been shown to have lasting effects on both the people photographed and marginalized communities. The permanence of the internet can mean … Continue reading The policy is meant, as stated, because “The permanence of the internet can mean those arrested but not convicted of a crime have the photograph attached to their names forever.”

But it seems that what my best friend used to call the Lexington Herald-Liberal extends that to those convicted of crimes, serious crimes, as well.

Suspect who fatally shot man at Lexington restaurant convicted, but not for murder

By Taylor Six | Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 11:36 AM EDT | Updated: 2:06 PM EDT

A jury decided a man who shot and killed an 18-year-old outside the Cook Out in Lexington was not guilty of murder, but he was still convicted of a lesser charge Thursday for the 2023 incident.

Jacolby Williams, 24, was convicted of first-degree manslaughter Thursday afternoon by a jury.

Williams was charged with murder, being a felon in possession of a handgun and being a persistent felony offender. His trial began Monday, in which he’s accused of shooting and killing 18-year-old Dametrius Hampton outside the Cook Out restaurant on South Broadway in September 2023, according to police. Hampton was declared dead at the scene.

Manslaughter is a class B felony under Kentucky law and carries a penalty of 10 to 20 years in prison. The charge differs from murder in that there is a lack of intent to cause someone’s death through their actions, unlike murder.

Next is an important part:

Jurors will next hear arguments about the charges of felon in possession of a handgun and persistent felony offender as they consider a sentence. Jurors also will hear information about Williams’ previous felony charges.

In the Bluegrass State, the prosecution may not bring up the fact that the defendant has a previous criminal record, so that the jury will be deciding only on the crime currently being tried. Depending upon his previous record, the sentence enhancements for a persistent felony offender, KRS §532.080, could put Mr Williams in prison for the rest of his miserable life. Under KRS §527.040(2)(a), possession of a handgun by a convicted felon is a Class C felony.

Mr Williams attorney argued that his client had shot Mr Hampton in self-defense, but the jury didn’t buy that excuse, and there was testimony in the trial which contradicted that story.

We do not yet know how Mr Williams’ subsequent offenses will be adjudicated, nor what his sentence will be, but we do know one thing: young Mr Hampton is stone-cold graveyard dead. Should Mr Williams ever get out of prison before Mr Hampton comes back top life?