"We just finished behind us here in Franklin Circuit Court a long and, I would say, very successful argument," Coleman said, flanked by law enforcement.
Coleman's office is arguing a 16-year-old injunction halting executions in the state should be lifted, with the immediate goal of carrying out a death sentence for Ralph Baze. Baze was convicted of murdering a Powell county sheriff and deputy in 1992.
I call again on our governor to sign a death warrant, do it this afternoon, bring justice to this family, (and) honor these men and women of law enforcement.Attorney General Russell Coleman
The case has pit Coleman against Gov. Andy Beshear, who has repeatedly said legal and procedural hurdles do not yet permit him to sign a warrant in the case.
"As the attorney general of this commonwealth, I call again on our governor to sign a death warrant, do it this afternoon, bring justice to this family, honor these men and women of law enforcement," Coleman said. "To do anything else is a straw dog."
The governor's office did not immediately return a request for comment, but during briefings last year Beshear maintained several factors restrained him from putting pen to paper in the case.
"We have to have another regulation go through the process. We very promptly wrote that and it's going through the process," Beshear said in 2025. "I believe, being a member of the (Kentucky) Bar (Association), that I've got to follow those orders and that that part of the order prevents me from signing it at this time."
Beshear has also argued the drugs necessary to carry out a lethal injection are not available. Coleman told reporters Monday that Indiana has been able to obtain the drugs and the Trump administration has ordered the U.S. Department of Justice to assist states in acquiring the drugs.
If Coleman's team prevails in the case heard on Monday, it would clear the way for close to a dozen other executions to move forward.
UPDATE (6:30 pm): Scottie Ellis, a spokesperson for the governor, gave the following statement to WUKY.
"As someone who lost a close friend to murder, the Governor’s heart goes out to Ms. Lally and her family. As the Kentucky Supreme Court has stated, a 2010 Franklin Circuit Court ruling 'essentially forbids the Commonwealth from performing any more executions until … a final judgment in the declaratory judgment action.' Despite multiple unsuccessful attempts by the Attorney General to undo the injunction, which continues to delay the case, it remains in place today. The Dept. of Corrections filed an amended regulation, as requested by the Court, and that regulation is currently in a 90-day review period with the Judiciary Committee. If no action is taken by the committee, the regulation will become effective on April 7, 2026. At of today, no hearing has been scheduled."